Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum will be investigated by Basketball Australia’s (BA) integrity unit following his post-match comments following a controversial loss to Melbourne United.
The investigation will look into Tatum’s comments criticizing referees, who he claims were influenced by his race and appearance after the Hawks’ 92-87 loss at the WIN Entertainment Center.
Tatum, the father of Boston Celtics NBA All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, He called the referees “incompetent” and suggested they “made an example” of him because of his height, voice and skin color.
The game came to a tense end when Hawks guard Will Hickey called a foul on Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding, who appeared to exaggerate the contact.
With just 22.1 seconds left in the game, the Hawks were trailing 87-84 when Goulding went down in theatrical fashion, clutching his ankle.
The incident sparked a heated reaction from Tatum, who then received a technical foul after the game clock did not start on the incoming play.
Tatum admitted to telling a referee he made a “terrible call,” but denied his comments were disrespectful.
Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum was left stunned by the referee’s decisions in the final moments of their tense match against Melbourne United.
Chris Goulding, who was celebrating his 36th birthday, was criticized for exaggerating contact with Hawks star Will Hickey.
During the post-match press conference, Tatum was asked if other NBL coaches could expect similar sanctions for his behaviour.
“One hundred percent, but it’s just going to be me,” Tatum said.
“I’m intimidating, I think my voice is too deep and I’m too tall and my skin color is different or whatever,” he said in his post-match press conference.
‘It’s me, you know, because I hear the same coaches say similar things or complain about the same things and their leash is a little longer.
“But I guess you have to make an example of me.”
Tatum is the father of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who is an NBA All-Star and championship winner.
Justin moved to Australia to further his coaching career and took over at Illawarra in 2023.
The technical foul proved costly as Melbourne United held on to secure the victory in what had been a very close match.
Goulding’s performance, which included five three-pointers and a game-high 25 points, played a key role in Melbourne’s victory.
Tatum lashed out at the former Australian boomer who was part of the Paris Olympics team for his drama to seal the result.
“We’re happy that Chris Goulding didn’t get hurt when he fell in front of us. So I’m glad he’s injury-free,” Tatum said sarcastically.
‘Unfortunately, the officials at the time just made a bad decision, a bad decision. It is what it is.
‘Emotions were (sic) running high at that moment, because everyone in the gym thought that was the decision at that moment, even me.
‘When they took the time to know that the clock was ticking, emotions ran high because we knew we had a chance…we were losing three.
‘Unfortunately we have another referee who decides he wants to call a technical foul because of the emotions of the call.
“I told them it was a ‘very terrible decision’ (the foul on Goulding) and I felt like any coach in this league would probably have those emotions at the same time.”
Goulding was best on the pitch for United in their win against the table-topping Hawks, but has been criticized again for “failure”.
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman was happy to emerge victorious in a tense clash in Wollongong.
Hawks owner Jared Novelly reportedly stormed out of the building after the Goulding incident and later expressed his anger on social media.
It’s the second week in a row Goulding has been criticized for “failure” after South East Melbourne owner Romie Chaudhari said: “he’s constantly failing and crying about it, that shit is weak.”
Novelly backed Chaudhari and called on Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman to address Goulding’s actions.
“Guess I’m not the only one who feels that way about that guy (Goulding) at @MelbUnited… What does Coach Vickerman have to say now?” Published as a novelty on the social media platform X.
But Vickerman downplayed the incident after the game and praised Goulding for his efforts in winning the game.
“I’m not going to talk too much about it, I thought he sprained his ankle a little bit,” Vickerman said.
“There was some contact, there was some stuff there, but he had a great game.”
“He was huge for us today, the way he wanted the basketball in big moments, the shots he wanted to make, and that’s Chris Goulding I want to talk about.
“Birthday today, so we have to celebrate for him.”