Tall Blacks forward Tom Vodanovich is mortified to be the latest New Zealand Breakers player caught up in off-court strife and has issued a public apology.
Tom Vodanovich Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Auckland NBL basketball club's week from hell continued when reports emerged of player drinking and misbehaviour on the team's flight from Perth to Auckland on Monday.
Police were waiting for the worst-behaved of them, Vodanovich, who later said he had no recollection of the flight after taking a sleeping pill in conjunction with alcohol.
A remorseful Vodanovich wasn't charged by police but Breakers owner Matt Walsh said he would "come down hard" on the player. He had yet to determine the sanction.
The reports emerged hours after Walsh had announced star Breakers import Glen Rice Jnr was "indefinitely suspended" - effectively sacked - by the club after further details emerged of the incident that resulted in his arrest and an assault charge in Auckland last week.
American guard Rice faces a court hearing on Wednesday, only adding to a growing sentiment that discipline at the bottom-placed club is spiralling.
Walsh himself was fined and suspended following a heated verbal exchange with NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger in full view of fans at a recent game in Melbourne.
Vodanovich said in a statement the Breakers players were conscious of the image they were projecting and apologised for adding to the negativity.
"I am mortified to have embarrassed the club and myself on the flight.
"I am particularly upset to have contributed to the perception there is a bad culture at the club, when it absolutely is not the case.
"I have given my commitment to do whatever it takes to rebuild trust with (management) and and the whole team. I am very sorry to have acted like this."
-AAP
