Duke's Grayson Allen (3) trips Elon's Steven Santa Ana (22) in an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro. Photo/AP Photos
Duke's Grayson Allen (3) trips Elon's Steven Santa Ana (22) in an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro. Photo/AP Photos
Duke University guard Grayson Allen has been suspended indefinitely by his college team, after tripping Elon's Steven Santa Ana and reacting with a tantrum on the bench.
It was the latest chapter in the story of Allen's ongoing knack for tripping opponents and engaging in other acts of foul play.
He had multiple incidents last season and was reprimanded by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), after tripping Florida State's Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Louisville's Ray Spalding in the span of a few weeks.
He had another during an NCAA Tournament game against Yale.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski decided to stand down Allen for an indefinite amount of time, with the legendary coach describing the latest act as "inexcusable".
Allen received a technical foul on the play. He was in near hysterics on the bench afterwards, but remained with the team and then played in the second half of Duke's 72-61 win over Elon.
"We have had the opportunity to thoroughly review the incident involving Grayson Allen from last night's game against Elon," Krzyzewski said in a statement.
"As I stated last night, the incident was unacceptable and inexcusable. He took an important step last night by apologising in person to Steven Santa Ana and coach Matt Matheny.
"As a programme, we needed to take further steps regarding his actions that do not meet the standards of Duke Basketball. To that end, we have determined that Grayson will be suspended from competition for an indefinite amount of time."
This was a slight change in tone from Krzyzewski and his immediate response after the game, when he pointed out that Allen had apologised and spoke about viewing this as a teaching moment.
"I had a long talk with him afterwards," Krzyzewski said. "And the right thing to do was to apologise in person."
Grayson Allen should be suspended for the 1st 5 ACC games, thru Louisville, while they get him some help. Coach K has enabled him enough.
Allen was emotional, as he apologised for the latest incident after the game.
"I mean, I don't plan on doing it again," Allen told AP, as he fought back tears. "I made another mistake. I have to try to be better again, just like I tried to be better from last year."
"I made a really bad play," Allen said. "I'm sorry to him, Santa Ana. I'm sorry to the officials who have to call that.
"I'm sorry to my team, it's selfish and it took away from them. I'm not proud of it at all."
