Washington Huskies guard Cole Bajema has been suspended one game after an embarrassing incident in Thursday night’s game against the UCLA Bruins.
The Pac-12 suspended the Huskies‘ Bajema for “contact … to the groin area of an opponent which is not clearly accidental.” Bajema struck Bruins forward Adem Bona in the private parts late in the first half of their game. Although, based on Bajema’s immediate reaction, the foul appeared totally inadvertent. Officials called him for a foul on the play, but after review did not rule it a flagrant foul.
Looks like @spidadmitchell wasn't the only guy to get hit in the nuts last night …
UCLA's Adem Bona took a shot from Washington's Cole Bajema, who went full Brad Davison on him.
Officials went to the monitor but took no further action after this play. pic.twitter.com/qF2EKIBe5m
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 3, 2023
Bajema, the Huskies’ second-leading scorer at 9.9 points per game, will sit out Saturday night’s game against the USC Trojans.
Pac-12 is imposing a one-game suspension on Washington's Cole Bajema stemming from an incident during the Thursday’s men's basketball game at UCLA. pic.twitter.com/A90RqVeOCk
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) February 4, 2023
Washington athletic director Jen Cohen and head coach Mike Hopkins released a joint statement Saturday protesting Bajema’s suspension.
“We were surprised and are extremely disappointed with the decision to suspend Cole Bajema for our game Saturday at USC,” the statement read (via the Seattle Times). “Cole has demonstrated character and sportsmanship during his three years competing in the Pac-12. We stand in support of Cole and look forward to him returning to the court next week.”
Basketball fans seemed to think that Bajema got a bad deal from the Pac-12.
“The PAC-12 suspends dudes for accidental nut shots? Seriously?,” tweeted Danny O’Neil.
The PAC-12 suspends dudes for accidental nut shots? Seriously?
— Danny O'Neil, Noted Fisch fan (@dannyoneil) February 4, 2023
Thanks Danny. I’m now imagining Larry Scott putting this rule in to parallel Targeting saying “If the junk gets maimed, then you sit for a game.”
— Ian (@ianistweeting) February 4, 2023
Groingate
— Elwood Wiles (@AAnswer8) February 4, 2023
Will Conroy was also quick to come to his defense in a tweet. The kid from Lynden Christian is probably the least likely player to do that sorta thing.
— Rick Lund (@rlundscoop) February 4, 2023
Pac-12 spokesman says conference won’t comment on any fallout for officials in wake of missed flagrant-2 on Washington’s Cole Bajema for hitting Adem Bona in the groin. Officials are graded after every game and get assignments based off performance.
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) February 4, 2023
[JohnCanzano.com; The Field of 68 on Twitter]
