UCLA basketball coachMick Croninon Friday said he apologized to Steven Jamerson II forejecting the backup centerduring a game earlier in the week.
Cronin said he initially thought that Jamerson committed a dirty playagainst Michigan Stateon Tuesday but realized upon watching replays that it wasn’t.
Cronin said Jamerson accepted his apology, joking that his player wanted an extra $10,000 in name, image and likeness funds.
“Steve’s everything that’s good about college basketball,” Cronin said.
Cronin also said he needed to make sure he didn’t do anything to embarrass UCLA and try to protect the brand.
“I’m a good fit here,” Cronin said, “because here I’m not the story.”
Cronin’s ejection of Jamerson had drawn national scorn from television talk show hosts and newspaper columnists who accused him of being a bully and not living up to the UCLA character standard set by legendary predecessor John Wooden.
The brouhaha had started Tuesday night when Jamerson chased down Michigan State’s Carson Cooper with about 4½ minutes left in UCLA’s 82-59 road loss.
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Trying to block Cooper’s shot from behind, Jamerson committed a hard foul that sent Cooper tumbling to the court. As fans inside the Breslin Center howled in disapproval, Cooper rose and the players briefly stood face to face before being separated.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
