An unsettling video showing a 13-year-old basketball player from California brutally stomping on the head of an unprotected player has prompted an investigation by authorities.
On Sunday, during a game between two Bay Area teams—Payton’s Place at the College of Alameda and Tumakbo United, a youth basketball team mostly of Filipino-Americans—an assault was captured on video.
At the start of the clip, a Tumakbo United player in a yellow shirt receives the ball. A youngster wearing a black Payton’s Place jersey commits what appears to be a foul. The Payton’s Place player and the Tumakbo player tumble to the hardwood floor.
During the intense struggle for possession, the player from Payton’s Place pulled the Tumakbo player’s shirt and grabbed his right leg multiple times, blatantly fouling him.
The players appear to be “tied up,” and usually, the referee would whistle the play dead and call for a jump ball. But the play inexplicably continued.
A second player from Payton’s Place ran over and, with the vulnerable Tumakbo player against the floor, stomped on his head hard.
Although concussions at the NBA level are uncommon, multi-year research indicates they are significantly more prevalent in high school boys’ basketball, ranking fourth after wrestling, football, and soccer.
The parents claimed they went to the police after the event so the stomping player would learn from his mistake and deal with the consequences.
A concussion procedure was initiated for the injured player. His parents reported he had a throbbing headache for days following the incident.
The assailant is currently receiving help for mental health concerns and is not participating in Payton’s Place basketball games. According to them, he was also the target of cyberbullying because of what happened.
In an Instagram post, Payton’s Place stated that their player’s actions are unacceptable and do not represent the values of the team.
The Alameda County DA is currently contemplating whether criminal action should be taken.
