UCLA coach Mick Cronin apologized to Bruins center Steven Jamerson II for ejecting him from Tuesday’s 23-point loss to Michigan State.
An exasperated Cronin reacted to a hard foul by Jamerson late in the game by angrily directing the 24-year-old to the locker room in East Lansing, Michigan. Officials would ultimately give Jamerson a flagrant-1, which doesn’t necessitate an ejection, but he was already headed towards the exit by that point.
Cronin, who later got into a tense exchange with reporters that night, has since reviewed the footage and apologized to Jamerson.
‘I already apologized to Steve, OK?’ Cronin told reporters Friday. ‘It’s the only reason I sent him to the locker room. I thought he literally made a dirty play and tried to wipe the guy out. Once I saw the film, I mean, he still got an F-1. To be honest with you, I don’t even know if he deserved that.’
Cronin said Spartans coach Tom Izzo ‘thought the same thing when I communicated with him.’
Cronin joked that Jamerson ‘asked me for $10,000 more in [name, image and likeness payments] because of that,’ before complimenting the transfer from the University of San Diego.
Bruins players watch as teammate Steven Jamerson II is ushered to the locker room
Cronin told reporters he has since reviewed the footage and apologized to Jamerson
‘Steve is everything that’s good about college basketball,’ Cronin said. ‘He’s everything that I believe in about college basketball. That being said, I’m trying to protect, like I take it really seriously. Our guys don’t get techs. We’re not taking guys out in the air.’
Cronin then admitted to being too candid with his comments to the media.
For instance, when speaking with reporters after Tuesday’s 82-59 loss, Cronin became annoyed about a question concerning chants from Michigan State’s student section.
‘I could give a rat’s ass about the other team’s student section,’ Cronin told the reporter. ‘I would like to give you a kudos for the worst question I’ve ever been asked.’
Cronin wasn’t done there.
‘You really think I care about the other team’s student section?’ he asked.
The reporter tried to respond, but was cut off by Cronin.
‘Are you raising your voice at me?’ he asked the reporter. ‘Yeah, you are, yeah you are. Come on, dude. Yes you were. Everybody is standing here listening to you. This is on camera. They can hear you. I answered the question.’
Cronin appeared to admit some fault with that exchange, and possibly other comments, in speaking with reporters at Friday’s practice.
‘I have to do a better job of this, that in this climate, you’ve got to be careful with what you say. I’m a good fit here because I know I’m not bigger than the brand and the brand matters here, the school matters,’ he said. ‘The last thing I want to do is bring negative publicity to our school.
‘I apologize to our people – school, students, everybody in our community – because it’s important. These jobs, you gotta raise money, you gotta be friends with donors, I mean I believe in all that stuff.’
Jamerson has not spoken to the media yet about the incident, but Cronin said he was happy to receive the coach’s apology.
‘Oh, he’s the best, man,’ Cronin said. ‘It’s not like I kicked him off the team.’
The Bruins (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten) will host No. 10 Illinois (22-5, 13-3) on Saturday.