D-III basketball player suspended for ruthlessly elbowing opponent

A Division-III college basketball player has been suspended indefinitely after he committed one of the most aggressive fouls you will ever see during a game on Tuesday night.

Nichols College freshman guard Nate Tenaglia knocked down a 3-pointer late in his team’s win over Fitchburg State, and Fitchburg State’s Kewan Platt closed out on him well after the shot left Tenaglia’s hand and clubbed him in the head. Tenaglia immediately fell to the floor and grabbed his face.

This is disgusting pic.twitter.com/D8xihwFmwT

— Overtime (@overtime) November 14, 2018

Initial rumblings on social media indicated that Platt was not called for a foul, but ESPN’s Myron Medcalf reports that several people in attendance say Platt was ejected after picking up a technical foul earlier in the game.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Fitchburg State athletic director Matthew Burke condemned the dirty play and said Platt has been suspended indefinitely and barred from campus.

“The Fitchburg State community is appalled by the conduct displayed during Tuesday night’s home basketball game,” Burke said. “The player involved has been indefinitely suspended from the team and barred from campus, effective immediately.”

Nichols spokesman Pete Divito said Platt was frustrated after Tenaglia covered him throughout the game and smothered him on defense. Tenaglia was evaluated for a concussion and ended up finishing the game after passing the tests.

We’ve seen plenty of nasty flagrant fouls on the basketball court over the years, but that was by far one of the most egregious. Platt should not be surprised if he’s permanently kicked off the team at Fitchburg.