MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Big 12 reprimanded West Virginia forward Wesley Harris for taking a swing at a court-storming fan in the aftermath of the loss at Texas Tech.
The sophomore forward will not face any additional league-imposed discipline. According to a statement from athletics director Shane Lyons, the school also considers the matter closed, clearing Harris to play Monday night when the No. 6 Mountaineers host No. 10 Kansas.
The Big 12 fined Texas Tech $25,000, citing lax postgame security Saturday after the Red Raiders’ 72-71 win.
“We have to provide a safe game environment,” league commissioner Bob Bowlsby said. “The Texas Tech Department of Athletics has a written event management policy which was unsuccessful in ensuring the safety and security of the visiting team game participants.”
I guess Wesley Harris #21 and @sagaba50 #50 from @WVUhoops were a little bitter after tonight’s loss to @TexasTechMBB Swinging at fans on the court ? @Big12Conference @espn #wreckem #gunsup #ttu #wvu pic.twitter.com/cpTdNolmVX
— Steven Gutierrez (@stevenjee10) January 14, 2018
After the loss, the Mountaineers waited near their bench, needing to cross the court to reach the visiting locker room. Harris threw a left-hook at a fan who bumped him, and Sagaba Konate (50) also had to be restrained fro the crowd by teammates.
The full statement from Lyons:
“I want to thank the Big 12 Conference and Texas Tech for the positive and open dialogue all three parties engaged in during the last two days. As I said before, this situation involved court security, player safety and postgame emotions and all three had to be taken into account. We will revisit with our student-athletes to again reinforce our expectations regarding sportsmanship issues across all sports. The Big 12 has issued its reprimand. We accept it, and I consider the matter closed.”