Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers appeared to call US President Donald Trump out when discussing the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Jonathan Ross.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s clash against the LA Lakers on January 9, Rivers spoke about the recent incident and said that “everyone should speak up”.
Thirty-seven-year-old Good was shot dead in Minneapolis on Wednesday (January 7), which sparked widespread protests.
As reported by BBC News, Federal officials said Good had tried to run over immigration agents with her car, but the city mayor, Jacob Frey, suggested that the agent who shot her had acted recklessly.
Advert
Video footage of the incident shows two ICE agents approaching the car in a street before it attempts to drive away. One agent then points the gun at the driver before two shots are heard. An FBI investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, US Vice-President JD Vance shared a 47-second clip of the incident on social media, claiming the agent had acted in self-defence, but this is debated by local officials who claim she posed no danger.
According to BBC News, President Trump’s administration said Good tried to run over an ICE officer in an act of “domestic terrorism”.
The incident has sparked protests across the country with several public figures weighing in with their thoughts, including NBA coach Rivers.
When asked about athletes speaking about political and social situations, he said: “I don't think it has to be an athlete. I don't think it has to be a celebrity. I think everyday people, all of us, should speak up if we think something's morally wrong.
“What happened in Minnesota was a straight-up murder, in my opinion. And it's awful. This lady was probably trying to go home, and she didn't make it home, and that's really sad.”
The Bucks’ coach then described the introduction of ICE as a “travesty” before accusing the officers of “attacking brown people” across the US.
He then appeared to call out Trump and suggested the country was being run by a “bully” rather than a “role model”.
Rivers added: “I keep thinking about kids. And when I grew up, the president was always the role model. And I think about that and the effect of being a bully, lying – how is that good for our kids? And that worries me for our future."
Topics: Donald Trump, NBA
Luke Davies