Breakers accept Gillespie suspension

Monday, September 16, 2024

“Freddie has owned his actions and shown genuine remorse, and we support him as he moves forward from this.”

The New Zealand Breakers have accepted the one-game suspension offered to Freddie Gillespie after his headbutt on Sydney Kings player Shaun Bruce in Friday night’s Blitz game.

Gillespie will miss Saturday’s season opener against the Brisbane Bullets at HoopsFest.

The NBL’s Game Review Panel determined the incident was intentional, medium impact and high contact resulting in a two-game suspension, reduced to a one-game suspension with an early guilty plea – which New Zealand has taken.

Freddie Gillespie has been ejected after this incident with Shaun Bruce pic.twitter.com/DMTO2XOyyu
— NBL (@NBL) September 13, 2024

“Freddie has owned his actions and shown genuine remorse, and we support him as he moves forward from this,” Breakers CEO Lisa Edser said.

“The club accepts the suspension as a fair outcome, and we are focused on moving on in a positive manner. We are committed to making the 2024/25 season one of growth, unity, and success both on and off the court.”

New Zealand and Brisbane will meet at HBF Stadium in Perth at 6pm AEST on Saturday night, with the game to be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo.