A redshirt freshman appeared to spit at Arizona fans and was later arrested on Thursday night.
Mac Etienne, a 6-foot-10 forward on the UCLA men’s basketball team, was arrested and cited for assault after appearing to spit at Arizona fans during the Bruins’ 76-66 loss to the No. 7 Wildcats on Thursday night in Tuscon, Ariz.
After No. 3 UCLA’s loss, video showed Etienne looking toward Wildcats fans and appearing to spit in their direction as the Bruins’ were leaving the floor following the game.
When Etienne returned to the locker room, University of Arizona police officers told him he would be placed under arrest, according to an ESPN report.
Sgt. Sean Shields, a public information officer for University of Arizona police, told ESPN late Thursday that Etienne was issued a citation for assault with “the intent to injure, provoke or insult” another person, but was not placed in handcuffs.
“We allowed him to go with the team back to the locker room,” Shields told the website. “And he was arrested for assault.”
Etienne, who will have a court date in Arizona, potentially could be allowed to address the citation without traveling back to the state, Shields said.
According to Shields, information about any exchange between Etienne and the fan or fans he allegedly spat on would be released in the official report about the incident on Friday.
UCLA officials told ESPN a statement about the incident would be released soon.
With the loss, UCLA fell to 16-3 (8-2 Pac-10). Arizona improved to 18-2 (8-1) and is now in first place.
Kerr Kriisa scored 16 points and Dalen Terry flirted with a triple-double (10 points, nine rebounds and seven assist) to help Arizona avenge a loss to UCLA nine days ago. Jules Barnard scored 15 points for UCLA and Johnny Juzang had 12 after missing two games in COVID-19 protocols.
Etienne, who did not play in the loss, appeared in 13 games for the Bruins in the 2020-21 season, starting just one.
— with AP
