- It happened in the NBL match between Perth and Illawarra.
- The young Spanish star became heated during an incident
- The referee used a unique technique to calm the situation.
Spanish basketball player Izan Almansa is an imposing sight, standing almost two meters tall despite being only 19 years old, so an Australian referee used a unique method to calm him down during a recent NBL match.
Almansa plays for the Perth Wildcats as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program, which identifies young talent from around the world and offers them a pathway to the NBA outside of the US university system.
The big man is already immensely talented and has won gold medals playing for Spain at the European Under-18 Championships and the 2023 Under-19 World Cup.
However, playing for the Wildcats against the Illawarra Hawks on Friday night, the teenager saw red after making contact with NBL veteran Todd Blanchfield in the half-time shadows.
Before the two could team up for a fight, referee Nico Fernandes was on the scene to calm the situation.
And to calm the young Spaniard, Fernandes spoke to him in Spanish.
Perth Wildcats player Izan Almansa was unhappy after being knocked to the ground by an opposing player.
Referee Nico Fernandes managed to calm the situation by speaking to Almansa in Spanish
It had an immediate effect, with Almansa turning around and returning to the team meeting rather than confront Blanchfield further.
“Young Almansa really wants to react,” said commentator Brad Rosen.
I’m not ashamed to face the veteran.
“Spanish between the two, the referees,” said commentator Lachie Reid.
“It’s a good job, I’m not sure what they said,” Rosen added.
In the end, the Hawks survived another big haul from the red-hot Bryce Cotton to defeat the Wildcats 121-111 and cement second place in the NBL standings.
Cotton, following his record-breaking 59 points against New Zealand, scored 40 points at Perth’s RAC Arena on Friday night, the fourth time he has reached the milestone in his stellar career, but the Hawks had more contributors when needed.
Adding insult to injury for the Wildcats, import Kristian Doolittle was stopped with a right groin injury within the first minute and was unable to continue.
The teenage star was unable to lead his team to victory, and the Hawks edged out the WIldcats.
Trey Kell led the Illawarra with 26 points, while Wani Swaka Lo Buluk combined for 17 points on 88 percent shooting with stellar fourth-quarter defense on Cotton, who was limited to just two layups in the final period after having 36 in the score at three. -quarter time.
Sam Froling (17 points) and Darius Days (15 points, 11 rebounds) were active in the paint for the Hawks.
“To beat any team on the road you have to do the one percent and do the things that other teams and players don’t want to do,” Hawks coach Justin Tatum said.
“We had to find a way to make it difficult for Bryce – he’s an exceptional player.”