Victoria Police Arrest Man Over Racist Abuse Of NBL Player

Victoria Police have arrested a 37-year-old man from Huntingdale in connection with alleged racial abuse directed at National Basketball League (NBL) player Montrezl Harrell via social media, marking the first such case in Australian basketball. The abuse reportedly occurred after an Adelaide 36ers game at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena in November, with the messages being sent from an anonymous account. Basketball Australia's integrity unit referred the matter to police, who tracked down and charged the man with using a carriage service to menace, harass, and/or offend. The Adelaide 36ers and Basketball Australia praised the police for their efforts and emphasized a strong stance against racism and online abuse toward athletes. The accused was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court in August. This incident highlights the commitment of basketball authorities to protect players and foster a safe, inclusive environment in the sport.