Jayson Tatum’s dad drops massive racism claim about how he is treated in Australia: ‘I have to be made an example of’

Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum is set to be investigated by Basketball Australia’s (BA) integrity unit following his post-match comments after a controversial loss to Melbourne United. 

The investigation will look into Tatum’s remarks criticising the referees, which he claimed were influenced by his race and appearance after the Hawks’ 92-87 defeat at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

Tatum, the father of NBA All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum, called the referees “incompetent” and suggested that he was “made an example of” due to his height, voice, and skin colour. 

The match saw a tense ending with Hawks guard Will Hickey called for a foul on Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding, who appeared to exaggerate the contact. 

With only 22.1 seconds left in the game, the Hawks were trailing 87-84 when Goulding went down in theatrical fashion, clutching at his ankle.

The incident caused a heated reaction from Tatum, who was then given a technical foul after the game clock failed to start on the inbound play.

Tatum admitted to telling a referee he made a “bleeping terrible call” but denied that his comments were disrespectful. 

During the post-match press conference, Tatum was asked whether other NBL coaches could expect similar penalties for their behaviour.

‘One hundred per cent, but it’s only going to be me,’ Tatum said.

‘I’m intimidating, I guess my voice is too deep and I’m too tall and my skin colour’s different or whatever it is,’ he said at his post-match press conference, .

‘It’s me, you know, because I hear the same coaches say similar things or complain about the same stuff and their leash is a little bit longer.

‘But I guess I have to be made an example out of.’

The technical foul proved costly as Melbourne United held on to secure the win in what had been a closely fought contest.

Goulding’s performance, which included five three-pointers and a game-high 25 points, played a key role in Melbourne’s victory. 

Tatum lashed the former Australian Boomer who was part of the Paris Olympics squad for his dramatics to seal the result.

  ‘We’re just happy that Chris Goulding didn’t hurt himself flopping in front of us. So I’m glad he’s injury free,’ Tatum said sarcastically.

‘The officials at that time unfortunately just made a bad decision, a bad call. It is what it is.

‘Emotions was (sic) going high at that time, because everyone in the gym thought that was the call at the time, even myself.

‘When they took the time to know the clock wasn’t going, emotions digress because we knew we had a chance … we were down three.

‘Unfortunately we have another official who decides to want to give a technical foul because of emotions of the call.

‘I told them that was a ‘bleeping terrible call’ [the foul on Goulding] and I felt that any coach in this League would probably have the emotions at the same time.’

Hawks’ owner Jared Novelly reportedly stormed out of the building after the Goulding incident and later vented his anger on social media.

It is the second week in a row Goulding has come under fire for “flopping” after South East Melbourne owner Romie Chaudhari said he: ‘constantly flops and cries about it, that s*** is weak’.

Novelly backed Chaudhari and called out Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman to address Goulding’s actions.

‘Guess I’m not the only one who feels this way about that dude [Goulding] at @MelbUnited …. What does coach Vickerman have to say now?’ Novelly posted on social media platform X.

But Vickerman played down the incident after the match and praised Goulding for his match-winning efforts. 

 ‘I’m not going to talk about it too much, I thought he turned an ankle a little bit,’ Vickerman said.

‘There was some contact, there was some things there, but he had a hell of a game.

‘He was huge for us today, the way he wanted the basketball in big moments, the shots he wanted to take, and that’s the Chris Goulding that I want to talk about.

‘Birthday today, so one to celebrate for him.’