College basketball player Jamirah Shutes made unwanted headlines after the game against the Bowling Green Falcons. The Memphis Tigers played the Falcons on March 24, and could not progress to the next round. The game ended 73-60 in favor of the Falcons. However, Jamirah looked to be the most upset with the loss and took things into her hand. This incident caused a huge upset about her conduct after the game.
Jamirah sucker-punched Falcons’, Elissa Brett, who fell to the ground in pain. This incident took place after the game when the two teams came together in a line for the customary handshake. Brett was sucker-punched right in front of the commentator’s desk and Jamirah had to be taken away by her teammates.
According to Bowling Green Athletics, Memphis Tiger Jamirah Shutes is being charged with assault after last night’s incident pic.twitter.com/5UqfAH78St
— Colin Cody (@ColinzCody) March 24, 2023
Bowling Green released a statement revealing assault charges to be pressed against Jamirah. “The Bowling Green State University Police Department has charged a member of the Memphis Women’s Basketball with assault…This is an active investigation in conjunction with the City of Bowling Green Prosecutor and no further comment is available at this time,” the statement read.
As the incident started spreading over the internet, fans were pretty upset with Jamirah’s conduct after the game. Despite assault charges being filed by the Bowling Green, fans protested for the quick removal of Shutes from Memphis’ squad. As for the Tigers, it would be their last game of the season and no games are to be played further ahead.
The fans eagerly waited for the assault charges to be pressed against the Shutes as it wasn’t an in-game altercation. There were no arrests made following the incident and the investigation moved further. However, Shutes has pleaded not guilty to assault charges against Brett.
Jamirah Shutes has a court appointment next month
It is surprising to see such an incident happening on a basketball court. Things could have escalated and resulted in a heated exchange. However, things were kept in check and nothing further happened. Memphis has not commented on the incident ever since. As for the reason behind Jamirah’s extreme actions, they are still unclear and we will have to wait further. One possible reason could be that Jamirah didn’t take the loss well.
BGSU’s Elissa Brett was punched by Memphis’ Jamirah Shutes in the handshake line following a WNIT game.pic.twitter.com/9xboGgKJv5
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 24, 2023
The young Memphis guard will be facing serious consequences, after her conduct. It can even be the end of her hopes for playing professional basketball. According to TMZ Sports, she is to appear before the court for another hearing about the ongoing case next month.