Former professional basketball player Matt Barnes instigated a confrontation while attending a high school basketball game featuring his son. The incident occurred during the Harvard-Westlake versus Crespi Carmelite H.S. game, where Barnes’ son plays for Crespi and is coached by Derek Fisher, who was previously involved in a love triangle with Barnes’ ex-wife and the basketball player.
Barnes allegedly became involved in the altercation after approaching the court to argue with the referees. His anger then shifted towards a student announcer from Crespi Carmelite, whom Barnes menacingly approached. People intervened to calm Barnes down and separate him from the student broadcaster. It has been reported that Barnes overheard the broadcaster telling a parent to “be quiet,” although this claim has been disputed by multiple individuals.
Jake Lancer, the student targeted by Barnes, spoke to an independent reporter and stated that Barnes threatened to physically assault him. Lancer explained, “[Barnes] said, ‘what do you think you’re looking at?’ and I responded, ‘you’re shouting profanities at the referees while I’m trying to announce, please do not touch me.’ He then threatened, ‘I’ll physically harm you.'”
Lancer further clarified, “I want to emphasize that I never told him to ‘be quiet’ or anything similar. He approached me. All I wanted in that moment was to continue announcing the championship game.”
This incident adds to Barnes’ history of problematic behavior. He previously threatened Derek Fisher after Fisher became romantically involved with Barnes’ ex-partner. Additionally, Barnes was involved in a separate altercation with his fiancé’s ex-boyfriend during the NFC Championship Game in Santa Clara in 2023.
Barnes had a successful career in the NBA, playing for 14 seasons and winning a championship in 2017 as a member of the Golden State Warriors. Currently, he co-hosts a popular sports commentary podcast with fellow former NBA player Stephen Jackson.
Image: Matt Barnes #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball over Andrew Bogut #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on November 16, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 118-107. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Alejandro Avila resides in Southern California and previously reported on news for the LA Football Network. He is an expert on Jeopardy and a passionate sports fan. Known for having watched every movie and having a constant craving for dessert. Find him on Twitter @alejandroaveela.