The Rookie of the Year contender for the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, explained his rationale for kicking a ball that led him to be fined by the NBA.


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On March 31, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama received a $25,000 fine for kicking a ball to the stands.

The incident occurred following the conclusion of the Spurs’ 130-126 overtime victory over the New York Knicks on March 29 at Frost Bank Center.

In a press conference, the rookie player explained his thought process in throwing the ball and stated that he did not do it with ill intent.

“I was surprised. When I threw the ball, I remembered there was a fine for this, but it wasn’t in a bad way,” explained the rookie. “I threw it to make some guy’s day. It was funny. I was like, ‘No, I threw it to please somebody. It’s not like I am trying to hurt [anybody].”

Irrespective of Wembanyama’s intent, he was given the fine, which was the first in his professional career.