Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart suspended 3 games for pushing fan
STILLWATER, Okla. -- Marcus Smart was subdued as he apologized at a podium, his demeanor in stark contrast with the one that had sent shock waves through Oklahoma State's basketball program.
The Big 12 suspended Smart for three games yesterday for shoving a fan in the closing seconds of the Cowboys' loss at Texas Tech on Saturday night.
Smart apologized to the fan, his teammates and his family for his role in the altercation.
"This is not how I conduct myself," said the sophomore, a top NBA prospect. "This is not how the program is run. This is not how I was raised. I let my emotions get the best of me. It's something I'll have to learn from, a lesson I'll have to learn from. The consequences that are coming with it -- I'm taking full responsibility. No fingers pointing -- this is all upon me."
Late in Saturday night's game in Lubbock, Texas, Smart tumbled out of bounds behind the basket after trying to block a shot. He was helped to his feet and shoved Red Raiders fan Jeff Orr with two hands after Orr appeared to say something to him. Teammates pulled Smart away as he pointed back and shouted in Orr's direction.
Orr denied making a racial slur, and Texas Tech said the evidence backs him up. "I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, Tubby Smith and the Texas Tech men's basketball program," Orr said in a statement. "My actions last night were inappropriate and do not reflect myself or Texas Tech -- a university I love dearly. I regret calling Mr. Smart a 'piece of crap,' but I want to make it known that I did not use a racial slur of any kind." -- AP
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