Veteran NBA big man JaVale McGee, now playing for the Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico’s National Superior Basketball League (BSN), sent shockwaves through the basketball world after a heated altercation led to his ejection during a game on Friday night.
#BSNPR | [VÍDEO]: Se calienta el juego y se forma pelea entre Javale McGee y Ángel Rodriguez. Ambos jugadores quedan expulsados tras el incidente. pic.twitter.com/CA3R51SqYa
— La Guerra del BSN (@LaGuerraBSN) May 10, 2025
The three-time NBA champion, who played last season with the Sacramento Kings, was involved in a physical scuffle with Jonathan Rodríguez of Capitanes de Arecibo. The incident unfolded late in the second quarter as the two battled for rebounding position beneath the basket.
Rodríguez, despite being notably shorter than the 7-foot McGee, refused to be muscled out. What began as routine physicality quickly escalated when McGee lost his composure, grabbing Rodríguez by the neck and shoving him in front of a stunned crowd.
Officials and players from both teams rushed in to separate the pair before the situation boiled over further. Both McGee and Rodríguez were promptly ejected from the game.
Without their starting center, the Vaqueros de Bayamón struggled the rest of the way and ultimately fell 94-87 to the Capitanes. Former Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte led Bayamón in scoring with 25 points, while Danilo Gallinari, a former NBA teammate of McGee’s, added 16 points and nine rebounds.
McGee, who had been on a strong run for the Vaqueros, saw his three-game double-double streak snapped in the loss. He finished with eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 24 minutes before being tossed.
In his three previous outings, McGee had averaged 19.0 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, helping Bayamón secure three consecutive wins and rise to a 15-4 record on the season.
This ejection marks a rare moment of controversy for McGee, who has reinvented himself in the later stages of his career as a veteran presence overseas after 16 seasons in the NBA. The 37-year-old won titles with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020), and also claimed Olympic gold with Team USA in 2021.
While this was McGee’s first international contract after his NBA career tapered off, the incident underscores the emotional intensity he still brings to the court.
The BSN, known for its passionate crowds and gritty play, has welcomed several NBA veterans in recent years, including Hassan Whiteside, who currently suits up for Cangrejeros de Santurce, Bayamón’s next opponent.
Whether McGee faces further disciplinary action remains to be seen, but the incident has already drawn criticism from fans and media alike. His actions, though likely in the heat of the moment, have raised questions about player conduct and emotional discipline, even in international leagues.
Despite the scuffle, McGee remains a crucial figure for the Vaqueros, who are one of the BSN’s top contenders this season.
His leadership, size, and experience have been instrumental in their strong campaign. But going forward, he’ll need to keep that fire in check, especially if Bayamón hopes to bring home a championship.
