An AAU basketball match between R.A.W. Athletics of Chicago and the Houston Raptors on Sunday resulted in a brawl in Atlanta.
Details as to what resulted into the melee are still unclear yet. However, in a video posted by Doug Jones of RCS Sports, it can be seen that three players were throwing punches on an official who was lying on the court close to the three-point area. The game official managed to escape the skirmish but each moment a fight ends, another one would eventually start.
R.A.W. mentor Howard Martin explained to Twitter what happened, citing that a game official attacked one of his players. The brawl took place late in the final canto with R.A.W. trailing in the game.
"A ref actually walked up on one of our players and attacked him. Everyone tried to break it all up, then the ref's father (who was working a game on a different court) ran over to our court and rushed our guys. [E]veryone in the gym, the other team and the directors saw everything," Martin revealed.
Basketball pundits are doubting Martin's story, most especially since his players were clearly seen attacking an official in the video. The venue and the tournament officials have yet to release a statement.
Not The First Time This Month
Miles away from Atlanta, one of the biggest brawls in basketball erupted last Monday in a FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifying Match between the Philippines and Australia. It can be recalled that at least 10 players were thrown in a game that was won by Australia.
Among the Australian players who were ejected from the game include Milwaukee Bucks center Thon Maker, Nathan Sobey, Chris Goulding, and Daniel Kickert. Terrence Bill Romeo, Matthew Wright, Calvin Abueva, Jeth Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Jayson Castro, Carl Bryan Cruz, Roger Ray Pogoy, and seasoned NBA star Andray Blatche were ejected in the side of the Philippines.
The brawl drew massive attention online as Maker was seen unleashing a series of jabs and kicks highlighted by a flying knee to the Filipino players. On the other hand, Blatche displayed his wrestling skills as he unloaded a ferocious clothesline on an Australian player.
The Philippines were left with just three players after a review of the incident. Moments thereafter, two players from the Philippines fouled out of the game resulting in the referees to award an 89-53 forfeit victory to Australia. FIBA later revealed that they will be reviewing the game tape before serving punishments to the players involved.
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