Coach Richard Pitino and the university face a lawsuit over what one player says they did — and did not — do while the events detailed in the lawsuit were unfolding and after they unfolded.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Attorneys for a Lobo men’s basketball player have filed a lawsuit against the University of New Mexico and head coach Richard Pitino, alleging a teammate assaulted him and another player.
Lawyers for Shane Douma-Sanchez allege in the lawsuit the UNM coaching staff disregarded hazing and violent behavior before the alleged assault. The lawsuit alleges the staff fostered an unsafe environment.
The teammate who reportedly punched Douma Sanchez in the nose and already injured shoulder is not named in the lawsuit and is not facing charges. However, the lawsuit does describe him as a scholarship recruit who starts and earns six figures for playing.
The lawsuit alleges the teammate in question tried to intimidate Douma-Sanchez and others by claiming to be a gang member. He reportedly harassed Douma-Sanchez as a walk-on and referred to him as “the fat Native.” Douma Sanchez is a member of Laguna Pueblo and played basketball at Albuquerque’s Del Norte High School.
Douma-Sanchez’s attorneys claim UNM turned a blind eye to the misconduct, which resulted in the hazing and the subsequent battery.
The lawsuit alleges the teammate punched Douma-Sanchez during the flight to the Acrisure Classic in Palm Springs. Attorneys claim the teammate punched him because of where he was sitting on the plane. They claim that broke his nose and reinjured his shoulder.
Attorneys claim the same teammate went to Douma-Sanchez’s hotel room in Palm Springs and threatened to fight him. Then, attorneys claim that teammate assaulted a different teammate and threw him into a bathtub. The attorney referred to that other player as John Doe who is also a walk-on.
The lawsuit is also digging into what Coach Richard Pitino reportedly did. We’ll have more on the Nightbeat at 10 p.m. about that.
There's no official handbook provided on the art of coaching. But if there was, the '1-0' mindset would be in the first chapter.Missouri Tigers head coach Denni
Central Florida high school boys’ basketball teams continued to pound the glass and hit the hole with success this season.We took a look at schools in seven a
Alabama basketball is back on the road with a visit to one of the most iconic venues in college hoops.No. 9 Kentucky welcomes the No. 5 Crimson Tide to Rupp Are
The University of Miami women’s basketball team battled for 40 minutes Thursday evening; however, they fell to Boston College (11-8, 2-4) in a tightly contest