Update: At 8:56 a.m. Thursday, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski put out the following statement announcing Allen is suspended indefinitely:
“We have had the opportunity to thoroughly review the incident involving Grayson Allen from last night’s game against Elon. As I stated last night, the incident was unacceptable and inexcusable. He took an important step last night by apologizing in person to Steven Santa Ana and Coach Matt Matheny. As a program, 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.”
Original story:
GREENSBORO—The No. 5 Blue Devils wrapped up a 72-61 win against Elon at the Greensboro Coliseum, but very few were focused on Duke's 10-game winning streak or freshman Harry Giles' first point as a Blue Devil following the contest.
Late in the first half, junior guard Grayson Allen tripped Elon guard Steven Santa Ana on the right baseline, leading to a deadball technical foul and emotional outburst from the All-American. Allen tripped multiple ACC opponents last season and was reprimanded by the league.
Here's that Grayson Allen trip and his reaction after he gets the technical pic.twitter.com/awimnl1Tkw
— Gentry Wilburn (@JohnGentry13) December 21, 2016
If he is suspended by the league, Allen will miss Duke's Dec. 31 ACC opener at Virginia Tech, and former Blue Devil star and current ESPN broadcaster Jason Williams was among the analysts calling for that action after the game.
#Enough The #ACC needs to take action immediately. https://t.co/UZao0BKEox
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) December 22, 2016
At halftime of the Kentucky-Louisville game, Williams and ESPN broadcasters Rece Davis and Seth Greenberg—former Virginia Tech head coach—spent several minutes criticizing Allen and the lack of a past suspension.
"He acts like a petulant toddler that can't control his emotions when he gets angry," Davis said, with Williams suggesting that a suspension should be five games.
Allen was tearful in the locker room after the game.
"I made a really bad play. I’m sorry to Santa Ana, sorry to the officials who have to call that, sorry to the team because it’s selfish and taking away from them," Allen said. "I’m not proud of it at all."
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski also reacted to the incident, which sparked an Elon 11-2 run to close the first half.
"What Grayson did was unacceptable, but I thought our whole team lost their composure," Krzyzewski said. "Grayson apologized [to Santa Ana], and he should. That's not something you should do, and he got punished. Turned the game around."
He also discussed public criticism and potential disciplinary action.
"I handle things the way I handle them, and I think I've handled this correctly... I don't need to satisfy what other people think that I should do. I'm a teacher and a coach and I'm responsible for that kid," Krzyzewski said. "What he did tonight was right. That's what people do. They say they're sorry. They accept responsibility. Anybody else that wants to take shots about Duke or me or whatever, go for it, because that's territory that I'm comfortable with."
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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