A Division III men’s basketball player has been kicked off his team and barred from Fitchburg State University after elbowing an opposing player late Tuesday,…
A Division III men’s basketball player has been kicked off his team and barred from Fitchburg State University after elbowing an opposing player late Tuesday, athletic officials announced Wednesday.
Kewan Platt, a junior guard who was recently named the men’s basketball player of the week for the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, was caught on video violently elbowing Nichols College’s Nate Tenaglia during the final minutes of Nichols’ 84-75 win.
Platt, who begins running at Tenaglia as he fires a 3-pointer from the left wing, appears to glance back at a referee before barreling into Tenaglia with his right elbow and turning to run back on defense. Tenaglia is then seen writhing in pain, video shows.
Conference and Fitchburg State officials said the incident is being taken “very seriously” and have indefinitely suspended Platt from the team. He has also been barred from the public university’s campus in Fitchburg.
“In addition, the case is under review by Fitchburg State for consideration of further sanctions,” MASCAC officials tweeted . “The MASCAC has also vacated his player of the week award. His behavior goes against the MASCAC’s mission which includes good sportsmanship.”
Conference officials also apologized to Tenaglia, as well as his team and Nichols College.
Platt, a Massachusetts native who was named the conference’s player of the week Monday after averaging 24 points and 12.5 rebounds, is no longer listed on the Falcons’ roster as of Wednesday afternoon.
