Ex-NBA star handed immediate punishment after wild 'ball-scratching' incident involving fan

A former NBA star has been suspended after he became involved in a bizarre altercation with a fan at courtside.

The incident occurred during the Puerto Rican Professional Basketball League on June 9.

Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins appeared to confront a fan who was sitting courtside.

Cousins, who has previously played for teams such as the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers, appeared to grab and scratch his genitals before pressing them into the spectator’s face before the angry exchange.

Another video surfaced online, which appeared to show a group of fans confronting him with one even reportedly throwing a drink towards him, according to COMPLEX.

The league later released a statement, which read: “The National Superior Basketball Association announced the following sanctions and fines following the altercation that occurred on Monday, June 9 at the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum during the game between the Guaynabo Mets and the Bayamón Vaqueros.

“Guaynabo Mets player DeMarcus Cousins ​​has been suspended for the remainder of the 2025 season and fined $4,250 for a disqualifying foul, a technical foul, and acts that incite violence or provocation.

“In addition, the player must show cause why he should not be fined an additional $5,750, given the severity of the incident.

“In view of the above, the player faces fines of up to $10,000.”

The statement added: “The fan who, while on the court, made inappropriate and inciting gestures, and the fans who threw liquids and other objects at the player, have been ordered suspended for the remainder of the season. These individuals are also ordered to be identified by name and banned from the remaining home games of the season. This order will apply to any additional fans identified as being involved in the altercation after the investigation is completed.

“You are hereby ordered to maintain permanent security in the hallway where the incident occurred and in the court area for the remainder of the season to ensure access to the court and playing areas is restricted to authorized individuals.

“Fan access to and presence on the court area is not a right, and such presence is a privilege that may be revoked at any time. Access to the court area does not entitle fans to insult, provoke, or verbally attack. Therefore, the Vaqueros de Bayamón are requested to submit a corrective communication plan to the people occupying these seats to ensure compliance with the order and any potential consequences for such acts.

“The Bayamón Vaqueros franchise has been informed that if another incident occurs where a fan verbally or physically attacks a member of the BSN, directly or indirectly, they risk having their field closed and their home games being relocated to an alternate location.

“In addition, the Bayamón Vaqueros must show cause for not being fined $7,500 for the conduct displayed by their fans during the incident, who not only made provocative gestures, but also provocatively entered the court and subsequently threw glasses containing liquids and other objects at a member of the BSN.”