One-game ban for Henry
Auckland Huskies star Leon Henry has escaped with just a one-game ban for grabbing a rival player by the throat for a prolonged period.
Henry latched onto the throat of Taranaki Mountain Airs guard Derone Raukawa in an ugly incident during the Huskies’ 109-93 victory at Auckland’s Trusts Arena on Tuesday night.
The Huskies power forward was charged with unduly rough play, with medium force, by the Sal’s NBL game review panel for the thirdquarter incident.
The sanction carries a two-game penalty but because Henry took an early guilty plea the ban has been reduced to one game.
Some NBL Showdown fans on social media questioned why Henry was not ejected from the game when the referees had a clear view of the incident.
Henry was guarding Raukawa when the pair fell to the floor in an innocuous-looking incident but – after words appeared to be exchanged – Henry grabbed Raukawa by the throat as soon as they were both back on their feet.
Raukawa laughed off the incident and threw his arms in the air.
The Auckland Huskies have issued a statement to say they regret the incident.
‘‘Leon has taken full responsibility for his actions and understands that his behaviour does not align with the values of the Huskies organisation. Leon accepts the findings of the GRP and we look forward to having him back in action on Tuesday,’’ the statement read.
Former NBL player turned commentator Casey Frank called the game on Tuesday evening and didn’t mince words with what he was seeing.
‘‘He’s actually choking him there,’’ Frank said during the incident.
Fellow commentator Huw Beynon said: ‘‘He’s got his hand round his throat.’’
‘‘One-two games for an incident where there was 100 per cent intent to injure is disgraceful. You don’t grab someone by the throat like that for 7-8 seconds if you didn’t mean it (sic), one Twitter user wrote.