Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun has issued a public apology to the female referee he repeatedly called a 'b***h', an incident that led to his ejection from a game on Wednesday night and quickly went viral on social media. The 23-year-old Turkish NBA player was sent to the locker room after enhanced audio revealed his explicit remarks directed at rookie official Jenna Reneau.
Public Apology After Ejection
As of now, Sengun has not faced any further punishment such as a suspension or fine, but he addressed the controversy publicly for the first time on Saturday night following the Rockets' 112-106 road victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a statement to reporters, Sengun expressed regret over his actions, calling them immature and acknowledging he said things he should not have.
'That was immature by me,' Sengun admitted. 'That was just in the moment, and I said some stuff I shouldn't say, but I felt bad about it. Sometimes you can't control yourself, but I should have known better. But I fixed it and then I went to the locker room and I apologized.'
Details of the Incident
The altercation occurred midway through the fourth quarter of the Rockets' loss to the Celtics, when Sengun protested a no-call on his drive to the basket. Slowed-down footage shows him first shouting 'he's up on me' to referee Jenna Reneau after she opted against calling a foul. He then turned around and appeared to say 'you a b****' as he ran away.
Doubling down, Sengun said 'f***ing b****' as he was being ejected and sent back to the locker rooms. Remarkably, he called her a 'b****' for a third time after she had told one of his teammates 'he can't call me that'. The incident was captured on audio and shared widely online, sparking significant backlash and discussion about respect in sports.
Reconciliation and Reflection
Sengun revealed that he has since apologised directly to the referee, shaking her hand and assuring her such behavior would not happen again. 'I shake [her] hand and said that would never happen again. It just happened in the heat of the moment. Then she understood, and it was good on both ends,' he explained.
Ironically, the unsavory incident took place on the same day the Rockets had posted on social media celebrating 'National Girls and Women in Sports Day'. In a video, star player Kevin Durant explained how women's basketball had shaped his love for the game, highlighting a stark contrast with Sengun's actions later that day.
This event has brought attention to issues of sportsmanship and gender respect in professional basketball, with many fans and analysts calling for greater accountability. While no formal penalties have been announced yet, the NBA may review the matter further given its high-profile nature and the potential impact on the league's image.
