Former NBA Player Renaldo Balkman Banned From Professional League For Choking Teammate

Former New York Knick and Denver Nugget Renaldo Balkman has been banned from the Philippine Basketball Association after chocking one of his teammates, Arwind Santos, during a game.

Arwind Santos was trying to stop the former NBA star from going after a referee during a game against the Alaska Aces, when Balkman choked Santos. Balkman and Santos play for the Petron Blaze Boosters.

It is not clear why Balkman was going after the referee, likely he made a call that Balkman did not like. But when Santos intervened Balkman grabbed him by the throat and started to shake Santos.

Chito Salud is the commissioner for the Philippine Basketball Association and he made the decision to ban Balkman from the league. Balkman also has to pay a 250,00 Philippine peso fine, which is $6,100 American.

The commissioner had to take into consideration Balkman's past actions during games, which include a head-butting incident when he played with Puerto Rico.

Salud said in a statement, "I also took into consideration Balkman's evident disregard for local and the host country's sensibilities highlighted by his choking act on-court in full public view of his own team mate who was trying to pacify him."

He added, "I do encourage passion for the game but I also want to firmly instill a culture of accountability among our players. If one does something that violates the rules and the norms of sportsmanship and decent behavior, he will be made accountable."

During the game where the incident occurred, Balkman's team ended up losing to the Alaska Aces by 10 points. The final score was 83-73.