Man arrested for alleged racial abuse of Montrezl

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A 37-year-old man in Victoria has been arrested and charged over alleged racial abuse of Adelaide 36ers NBL star Montrezl Harrell, Code Sports Basketball is reporting.

In a first for basketball, Code Sports revealed the man was taken into custody in Huntingdale on Wednesday, July 2.

Neither Victoria Police nor Basketball Australia would confirm to Code Sports the player’s identity, but news outlet established the victim is Harrell, an eight-year veteran of more than 500 NBA games, who is in the US playing in Ice Cube’s BIG3 league.

It’s alleged the man, in November, sent a racist direct message to Harrell, who is of African-American heritage, and was identified by investigators from the Monash crime investigation unit after Basketball Australia’s integrity unit referred the matter.

Victoria police said the man was not connected to any of the fan ejections from a game on Sunday, November 17, 2024 when a melee happened between the Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United in Melbourne.

Read the full story on Code Sports Basketball here

The NBL released a statement praising the actions of the Victorian police.

"The NBL stands united with Basketball Australia in taking a firm stance against any form of online abuse or vilification," NBL Chief Corporate and Governance Officer Lauren Blecher said.

"The action by Victoria Police sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. We are incredibly proud of the collaborative efforts that led to this outcome."

This is the full Victorian Police Statement:

"Detectives from the Monash Crime Investigation Unit have arrested a man in relation to online racial abuse directed towards a National Basketball League player.

On Wednesday 2 July, police arrested and charged a 37-year-old Huntingdale man who allegedly sent racist messages to the player’s personal social media account.

These messages were allegedly sent following a match at John Cain Arena on Sunday 17 November 2024.

The man charged is not connected to any fans ejected during this game, following an altercation with players from the Adelaide 36ers.

Basketball Australia’s Integrity Unit referred this matter to Victoria Police for further investigation, which led to this arrest.

These messages were sent from an anonymous account, with officers working to identify the sender since the matter was referred to Victoria Police.

Victoria Police only investigates matters such as these when an incident is formally reported to police. In the absence of a police report, disciplinary actions are most often undertaken by the leagues and clubs involved.

The man has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass and/or offend. He has been bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 15 August."

*To report intimidating, harassing or racially abusive behaviour online, contact your local police station or, in an emergency, phone Triple Zero (000).