EX NBA STAR BANNED FOR CHOKING OUT TEAMMATE

(BlackMediaScoop) Former NBA player Renaldo Balkman was banned from the professional basketball league in the Philippines for choking out a teammate during a game.

The former New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets player has also been slapped with a fine of 250,000 Philippine pesos ($6,100) over the incident, Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Chito Salud said in a statement on Monday.

Balkman, who was playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters against the Philippines-based Alaska Aces, assaulted Arwind Santos while his team mate tried to stop him from venting his frustration at a referee’s decision. Salud said he took into consideration Balkman’s past record as a player, which included a head-butting incident during a FIBA-Americas game between his Puerto Rico side and Venezuela.

“I also took into consideration Balkman’s evident disregard for local and the host country’s sensibilities highlighted by his choking act on-court in full public view of his own teammate who was trying to pacify him,” Salud said.

“I do encourage passion for the game but I also want to firmly instil a culture of accountability among our players. If one does something that violates the rules and the norms of sportsmanship and decent behaviour, he will be made accountable.” The 28-year-old also pushed away his other team mates and one of his coaches during the match, which the Boosters went on to lose 73-83.