A troubling incident has reportedly taken place involving members of the New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team, casting a shadow over what has otherwise been a strong start to their season. According to KOB 4 in Albuquerque, officials at the University of New Mexico are investigating allegations that one of the team’s scholarship players physically assaulted a walk-on teammate during a recent team trip to Palm Springs, California, where the Lobos were participating in the Acrisure Classic.
The family of the walk-on player has claimed that the incident occurred during the team’s flight to Palm Springs, with an argument escalating into violence. According to their account, the disagreement began over where the walk-on player was sitting on the plane, and it ultimately led to the scholarship player punching him. This conflict did not end there; the family has further alleged that later that same day, the scholarship player struck the walk-on player again, this time at the team hotel.
Compounding the severity of the situation, the walk-on player was reportedly wearing a sling at the time due to a prior shoulder injury. The family claims that the scholarship player targeted the walk-on’s already injured shoulder during the altercation. As a result of these blows, the walk-on player required medical treatment upon returning to Albuquerque, including a visit to a local hospital for his injuries.
University officials confirmed in a statement to KOB 4 that they are actively investigating the incident, though they declined to provide the names of the players involved. In their statement, they emphasized their commitment to student safety and a fair investigation of the incident.
“The University of New Mexico takes the safety and well-being of all our students very seriously,” the statement read. “We are aware of an alleged incident involving members of our men’s basketball team and are carefully reviewing and assessing all of the facts. We are following all the appropriate protocols and procedures in addressing this situation and are committed to addressing any misconduct appropriately.”
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The Lobos, led by head coach Richard Pitino since 2021, have had a promising season so far, holding a 6-2 record and sitting atop the Mountain West Conference.
Their recent performance at the Acrisure Classic included a loss to Arizona State in the semifinals on Thanksgiving Day but a win against USC in the third-place game on Black Friday. However, this alleged incident has brought unwelcome attention to the program, raising questions about team dynamics and the handling of internal conflicts.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time this season that college basketball has seen a physical altercation between teammates. Just last month, players from Auburn University were involved in a similar situation during a team flight, which became so disruptive that it caused their plane to be rerouted.
As the University of New Mexico continues its investigation, the Lobos will have to navigate both the challenges on the court and the impact of this alleged intrasquad conflict off the court.
The outcome of the university’s inquiry will determine any potential disciplinary actions and could influence the direction of the team moving forward.
