A video captured fans yelling racial slurs at Sonny Weems, a 35-year-old ex-NBA player who now plays for the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
In a clip that has since gone viral, Weems can be seen getting off the team bus with fans shouting the N-word and other vulgarities. The incident happened last Thursday following a game between the Southern Tigers and the Liaoning Flying Leopards. During the game, Weems and Chinese player Han Dejun got into an altercation that resulted in both of them getting ejected from the game.
The Chinese Basketball Association issued an official statement following the incident, maintaining that the league has a “zero-tolerance attitude toward any discriminatory words or deeds,” while urging fans not to engage in “uncivilized behavior” and “vulgar words.”
“Whether on or off the field, fans should watch the game in a civilized manner, respect each other, do not do anything that damages the reputation of the team,” the letter read. “Respect for the opponent is a basic quality that every player should have, and it is also a basic requirement for a qualified fan.”
Jeremy Lin, another former NBA veteran who now plays for the Beijing Ducks, took to his Weibo page to offer Weems his support, condemning fans for their “abuse.”
“The abuse Weems received really was disrespectful, that word carried so much hurt, unfairness and hatred that I couldn’t put into words,” Lin said. “I want us to all remember that, as individuals, we should pay attention to what we say. Because every word we say carries its meaning and will have a lot of power and impact. Be cautious.”
