Craig Hutchison: Nick Kyrgios ‘went too far’ in charity basketball game

Media mogul Craig Hutchison has supported a basketball legend who called Nick Kyrgios a “jerk” for his performance at a charity game.

Nick Kyrgios came under fire for his performance in a charity basketball game.

Perth Wildcats owner Craig Hutchison has backed Steve Carfino after the NBL legend blasted Nick Kyrgios for acting like a “jerk” during a charity basketball game filled with celebrities last month.

Carfino slammed Kyrgios for showing no mercy as he rejected shots from NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Miss Universe Australia 2020 Maria Thattil, and dominated on the offensive end by racking up buckets.

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Carfino, who was coaching the team captained by Mr Perrottet, said Kyrgios was overcome by “white line fever” and took things too far in a match that raised money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

SEN boss and former Footy Show host Hutchison, who recently apologised to Wildcats fans after missing the NBL playoffs for the first time in 35 years, agreed with Carfino.

“He (Kyrgios) took it way, way, way too seriously,” Hutchison said on his podcast The Sounding Board. “It is beyond dispute.

“And you don’t mind seeing his stuff. You want to see a dunk and a block here and there.

“You don’t want to see him (for) 15 minutes dominating the game and refuse to come off in a social game.

“This was another stratosphere. Nick Kyrgios, he played like there was an NBA scout in the crowd.

“There were 11 or 12 on a team, he wouldn’t come off, he wouldn’t rotate. He went too far. He got caught (up) in the moment.

“He went way, way too far and Steve was probably the first one brave enough to say it.”

Nick Kyrgios always wanted to be an NBA player. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Carfino addressed the elephant in the room on Fox Sports program The Back Page last week.

“What a jerk. Oh my goodness,” Carfino said. “And what a lack of sportsmanship. He’s blocking girls’ shots, he’s not passing to his teammates.

“This is a celebrity game. There’s funds to be raised for the Starlight Foundation. It was ridiculous.

“I just thought it was unsportsmanlike, you know? It wasn’t the right moment to show how dominant you can be against, you know, Australia’s contestant for Miss World.

“He’s trying to block her shot. He’s going hard, blocking the shot of the Premier, you know, didn’t come out, refused to come out of the game (as a substitute).

“We had 18 players and we got everybody in. I think it was, you know, for the betterment of the game. You know, that was the right thing to do.

“It was a celebrity game. Know where you’re at.”

Kyrgios took exception to the criticism, commenting on an Instagram post about Carfino’s take.

“Lack of respect? You potato, have a look at my foundation and look me in my eyes and tell me what lack of respect there is for that?” Kyrgios wrote.

“Maybe if you showed less sportsmanship your NBA career would of (sic) lasted longer (laughing emoji).”

Maria Thattil was thwarted by Kyrgios last week. Photo: John Feder/The Daily Telegraph

Denied! Photo: John Feder/The Daily Telegraph

Kyrgios played on a team captained by radio broadcaster Ben Fordham and his teammates included the likes of former NRL star Jamie Soward and actor Dan Ewing. On the other side, Mr Perrottet captained celebrities including Nova radio host Michael “Wippa” Wipli, Thattil and Studio 10 host Tristan McManus.

Boomers legend Shane Heal coached Kyrgios and Co.

“The premier has spoken - Kyrgios will be on his team next time,” Fordham said post-game.

“We came away with the victory but Starlight was the biggest winner.

“Dom Perrottet was a good sport and put his reputation on the line. Nick Kyrgios was off his game a bit so I expect more from him next year.”