36ers Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis have copped hefty bans after the round nine incidents

Banned Adelaide 36ers player Montrezl Harrell has taken to social media to voice his frustrations and slam the NBL as he and teammate Kendric Davis cop suspensions.

Banned Adelaide import Montrezl Harrell has taken to social media to air frustrations with the NBL after he and teammate Kendric Davis were slapped with suspensions stemming from a wild night in Melbourne.

The ex-NBA man was rubbed out for three games and fined over $5500 for his role in a November 17 on-court melee with Melbourne United and subsequent fan clash, for which Davis attracted a two-game penalty.

United’s Shea Ili escaped a ban as third man in to the initial incident after Harrell and opposing big man Rob Loe became entangled on the court, while Melbourne assistant David Barlow was also lighter in the hip pocket for leaving the bench.

Montrezl Harrell has slammed the NBL for only coming down on the 36ers. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Harrell has slammed the NBL tribunal’s decision to suspend he and Davis.

“No one else involved in the situation huh @NBL only me and KD lol no players from other team just the coach for coming off the bench lol! Yeaaa I’m good man smh,” Harrell wrote on Twitter.

The Sixers’ allegations of racism and homophobia against fans at John Cain Arena, along with the identity of one of the spectators allegedly involved in the courtside incident, remain under investigation by the NBL integrity unit.

No one else involved in the situation huh @NBL only me and KD lol no players from other team just the coach for coming off the bench lol! Yeaaa I’m good man smh

— ÙŽ (@monstatrezz) November 25, 2024

Respected NSW barrister Anais d’Arville, acting as the NBL’s single-person tribunal, slapped Harrell with a three-game suspension and $5685 in fines and rubbed Davis out for two games after the November 17 on-court melee between the two teams was followed by an ugly clash between Sixers players and crowd members at John Cain Arena.

Code Sports has been told Davis appeared before the tribunal via video link and it’s understood the hearing was told the 25-year-old heard racist comments from fans, instigating his strong reaction.

It’s understood Davis denied he touched the fan but d’Arville was not convinced. Code Sports has been told, on obscured video evidence, the contact was considered to be on the low end of the scale, hence a two-game ban, rather than the maximum 10-game penalty attached to the charge.

Montrezl Harrell has been handed a three game ban. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

It’s understood Harrell, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, who is still in the USA after returning home during the NBL’s break for FIBA internationals, did not contest two counts of striking, one of engaging in a melee and one of inappropriate grabbing or handling of a spectator.

The 36ers have 24 hours from when they receive d’Arville’s written findings to lodge an appeal against the penalties imposed on Davis and Harrell, which would be heard in front of a full three-person tribunal panel.

The hearing, initially scheduled for Friday, lasted three hours, and was held the same day the 36ers, for the second time this season, referred to the Basketball Australia integrity unit, disgusting racist abuse directed at Harrell through social media. Harrell reposted the hateful direct message on his Instagram as he spent time with his children.

The NBL issued a statement Monday, confirming its integrity department investigation into the spectator incident remained open.

Former AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson, credited with overhauling the AFL’s tribunal system, represented the NBL.

Experienced counsel James McLeod, who has expertise in sports law, including in relation to racially based, derogatory or offensive language issues, represented the 36ers players

Originally published as 36ers Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis have copped hefty bans after the round nine incidents