Former NBA player Matt Barnes caused a scene at a high school basketball game featuring his son. The incident took place during the Harvard-Westlake versus Crespi Carmelite H.S. game over the weekend. Barnes’ son plays for Crespi, which is coached by Derek Fisher, who was previously involved in a love triangle with Barnes’ ex-wife and the basketball player.
According to reports, Barnes initiated the altercation by approaching the referees on the sideline. However, his anger quickly turned towards a student announcer from Crespi Carmelite. Witnesses stepped in to calm Barnes down and separate him from the student broadcaster. It has been disputed that the broadcaster told Barnes to “shut up,” as multiple people have denied this claim.
The student targeted by Barnes, Jake Lancer, spoke to an independent reporter about the incident. Lancer stated that Barnes threatened to “slap” him, recounting the exchange: “[Barnes] said, ‘what do you think you’re looking at,’ and I said, ‘you’re screaming you’re a (p****)’ to the refs mid-game while I’m trying to announce, don’t touch me.’ Then he said, ‘I’ll slap the s–t out of you.'”
Lancer clarified that he never told Barnes to “shut up” or anything similar, emphasizing that Barnes approached him. His only intention at the moment was to continue announcing the championship game.
This high school incident adds to Barnes’ history of problematic behavior. He previously threatened Derek Fisher after Fisher became romantically involved with Barnes’ ex-partner. Additionally, Barnes was involved in a separate altercation with his fiancé’s ex-boyfriend during the NFC Championship Game in Santa Clara in 2023.
During his NBA career, Barnes played for 14 seasons and won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2017. He currently co-hosts a popular sports commentary podcast with former NBA player Stephen Jackson.
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
