Basketball brawl fallout

Big 12 suspends four, including Kansas’ De Sousa for 12 games

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self promised Wednesday that Jayhawks players involved in Tuesday night’s late- game melee against Kansas State would face repercussions.

Two hours later, the first punishment was handed down. Self announced the indefinite suspension of forward Silvio De Sousa.

“I have suspended Silvio De Sousa indefinitely pending the final outcome of the review by KU and the Big 12 Conference,” Self said in a statement. “As I said last night, we are disappointed in his actions and there is no place in the game for that behavior.”

The fight occurred with a few seconds remaining in Kansas’ 81- 60 home victory. De Sousa was dribbling out the clock when Kansas State guard DaJuan Gordon stole the ball.

He headed toward the basket, and De Sousa responded by chasing him down and blocking his shot. De Sousa then stood over the fallen Gordon. That appeared to start the bench- clearing brawl that lasted around 40 seconds and included De Sousa holding a stool overhead.

Wednesday afternoon, the Big 12 suspended De Sousa for 12 games, one of four punishments handed out by the conference. Kansas’ David McCormack ( two- game suspension) as well as K- State’s James Love ( eight games) and Antonio Gordon ( three games) were also reprimanded.

“This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated and these suspensions reflect the severity of last evening’s events,” Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in a news release. “I am appreciative of the cooperation of both institutions in resolving this matter.”

JAMIE SQUIRE/ GETTY IMAGES Silvio De Sousa picked up a stool during a brawl as Kansas’ game against Kansas State ended Tuesday. On Wednesday, he was suspended indefinitely by the school and for 12 games by the Big 12.