He sucker-punched an opposing player mid-game. He got 2-game suspension. Watch video
A Division II men’s basketball player might’ve gotten off a little easy after he clocked an opponent mid-game.
Saint Leo University, located in Central Florida, announced they have suspended senior Isaiah Hill for sucker-punching Nova Southeastern University junior Nick Smith during Saturday’s game.
Cellphone video of the incident showed Hill punching Smith in the head before running off a screen. Smith’s knees buckled before he dropped to the court.
“Isaiah’s conduct on the court is not an accurate representation of Saint Leo’s core values. Saint Leo University holds its students to high standards of moral and ethical conduct as a reflection of Benedictine values,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Fran Reidy said in a statement Monday. “Upon review of Isaiah’s actions this past Saturday, he will not represent Saint Leo University in competition for the remainder of 2019.”
With Saint Leo having only two games left in 2019, the Twitter world wasn’t too thrilled about Hill’s light suspension.
“Your athletic director and coach should be fired immediately,” tweeted one user. “2 games for that violent act is disgraceful.”
“He should be suspended the rest of the year,” wrote another.
Smith escaped with no major injuries, according to a Nova Southeastern spokesperson. The school also did not wish to comment on Hill’s suspension.
Nova Southeastern defeated Saint Leo 92-77.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 2:30 PM with the headline "He sucker-punched an opposing player mid-game. He got 2-game suspension. Watch video."
