Coach at center of JBA flap won’t say if he has been disciplined

The coach from LaVar Ball’s Junior Basketball Association (JBA) who bullied one of his own players last week in an incident that drew national attention said he is “doing good.” But Edward Denard, head coach of the Chicago Ballers, declined to say if he has been disciplined by the league or if he will be coaching Thursday against the Dallas Ballers in the Chicago Ballers’ first game since the incident. “I’ve got no comment at this particular time,” Denard told USA TODAY on Monday by phone, adding he will probably address the matter publicly at the end of the week. The league has not responded to requests for comment made by USA TODAY via voicemail, email and social media. During a timeout late in a game against Seattle on Thursday in Ontario, California, Denard twice used his fists to shove forward Montrell Dixson in the chest. He later knocked his forehead against the side of Dixson’s face. Denard also verbally abused Dixson in an incident captured during the game’s broadcast on Facebook. “Get the (expletive) ball. Stop being a (expletive),” Denard snapped before knocking his forehead against the side of Dixson’s face. Dixson replied with inaudible remarks, and the coach got back in his face. “What you gonna do?” the coach said. “What you gonna to do, huh? What the (expletive) you going to do?” On Friday, Dixson posted on his Facebook page, “I’ll cut the record straight as of now! I didn’t react like everybody wanted me to cause I know how to keep my composure when needed to (100 percent). If I would’ve acted crazy I’d be the kid know for fightin his coach on national TV.” — Josh Peter