Former NBA player Matt Barnes is reportedly no longer an analyst at NBC Sports California in the wake of his incident with a student announcer.
Matt Barnes and NBC Sports California have parted ways.
A network spokesperson declined comment.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) February 20, 2024
He worked as an analyst with the Sacramento Kings, a team he spent two seasons playing for in the NBA.
The Kings currently sit as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference at 31-23. Sacramento has won just five of its last 10 games but picked up a road victory over the Denver Nuggets in its final contest prior to the All-Star break.
Barnes was seen grabbing Jake Lancer by the neck during his son’s high school basketball game earlier this month between the Harvard-Westlake Wolverines and Crespi Carmelite Celts. His son plays for the latter.
The incident started after Barnes’ son was given a technical foul. The 43-year-old was arguing the call with officials and then decided to approach Lancer.
One post on social media indicated that Lancer told Barnes to “shut up” during their interaction.
Student told Matt Barnes to “shut up”.
Matt wanted all the smoke! 💨 #allthesmoke #mattbarnes pic.twitter.com/mQX4o2jabb— Stopmotionsports (@Stopmotionsport) February 3, 2024
But Northwestern University student Julian Andreone took to X and denied these claims.
This is blatant disinformation. Jake Lancer is one of the most professional people I’ve ever worked with in broadcast or journalism. He did not say “shut up.” Here are videos of what he said immediately before and after the altercation. @Tarek_Fattal @latsondheimer https://t.co/QXwlfP0cOU pic.twitter.com/OUSedsNEEX
— Julian Andreone (@JulianAndreone) February 3, 2024
“Matt Barnes kinda came up to and just put his hands on me actually,” Lancer said in the second video. “So, I mean I’m all good. But, it’s kind of, I don’t know.”
A freelance writer in Jack Pollon published quotes from Lancer on what transpired between him and Barnes.
HW student broadcaster Jake Lancer
This guy was on the court mid-game multiple times screaming ridiculous stuff at the refs and everyone, including myself was looking at him, we made eye contact and that was enough for him to come up to me and grip my shoulder with his hand.
— Jack Pollon (@pollonpreps) February 3, 2024
Per Lancer, Barnes sent some vulgar language his way and also threatened him with violence.
HW student broadcaster Jake Lancer, part two
He said “what do you think your looking at” and I said “you’re screaming ‘you’re a (term for a female private part)’ to the refs mid game while im trying to announce, don’t touch me” and then he said “I’ll slap the shit out of you”
— Jack Pollon (@pollonpreps) February 3, 2024
Barnes responded to a user on social media who criticized him for his behavior toward Lancer and tried to defend his actions.
Shut ur ass up. I was talking to the ref not you or that kid that decided to say some slick shit. Don’t let that privileged HW shit go to your head. Idgaf who your son is
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) February 3, 2024
Barnes played in 929 regular-season games during his 14 seasons in the NBA and averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from 3-point range. He hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2016-17 season, when he appeared in 74 games with the Kings and Golden State Warriors during the regular season.
The 43-year-old’s broadcasting career might be in jeopardy now that he is no longer employed by NBC Sports California. It remains to be seen if he will be able to find another job in the field in the wake of his incident with Lancer.
