A viral video of a University of Arizona basketball player appearing to briefly touch a cheerleader’s chest during a post-game incident has sparked a fierce online debate, with many coming to his defense.
According to the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, University of Arizona and TCU officials contacted after Wildcats star guard Bennedict Maturin apparently tapped a cheerleader’s chest as he made his way to his team’s locker room.
Just seconds before the embarrassing incident, the 19-year-old Maturin could be seen spreading his arms to celebrate Arizona’s 85-80 overtime victory over TCU on Sunday.
But the guard may have miscalculated the space he had to stretch out his arms as he exited the yard.
It’s unclear if Maturin, who didn’t address the video, actually touched the cheerleader or even intended to do so.
Videos of the incident circulating on social media attracted a lot of attention, with Twitter users debating whether Maturin deserved disciplinary action or what happened was just an accident.
Scroll down to find the video…
University of Arizona and TCU officials reportedly got in touch after Wildcats star quarterback Bennedict Maturin apparently rapped the cheerleader’s chest on Sunday.
The guard may have miscalculated the space he had to extend his arms as he exited the court.
A video of the incident that has surfaced on social media has attracted a lot of attention.
Twitter users are discussing whether Maturin deserves punishment or what happened was just an accident.
“He celebrated with both arms outstretched, didn’t see her until late, and clearly took his left arm back as he lowered it,” one Twitter user tweeted on Monday.
“IF he touched her (probably didn’t), he was clearly trying to avoid it. It’s not a problem that you shouldn’t legitimize by recognizing.”
Another user dared to say that the TCU cheerleaders were too close to the court exit and needed to move.
‘[Another player] had to slide around them to get into the locker room. YET I haven’t heard the cheerleader complain so either it didn’t happen or she realized it wasn’t on purpose,” the user tweeted.
Others wondered if Maturin was even referring to the cheerleader, arguing that the depth of the angle may have played a role in the video showing something that wasn’t really there.
A Twitter user commented that Maturin should apologize, but the incident turned out to be unintentional.
Maturin, 19, led Arizona to an 85-80 overtime victory over TCU on Sunday.
Maturin is considered the top contender for this year’s NBA draft.
Meanwhile, some blamed Maturin for the incident and condemned that the video was not taken as seriously as it should have been.
The user wrote: “It looks like he instinctively clapped or shook his hand on his way to the locker…maybe there’s another angle.”
“It can’t go away. He needs to be held accountable for his actions,” Twitter user Mike Regalado tweeted.
Maturin, a sophomore at the University of Arizona, scored 30 points in Sunday’s game to lead his team to the Sweet 16.
He is considered the top contender for the NBA draft this year.
Maturin has gone through many clutch situations for Arizona. No wonder he made his best games of the season when the Wildcats needed him the most.
The sophomore shooting guard made a three-pointer to force overtime and then scored six more points in overtime as top-seeded Arizona outplayed No. 9 TCU 85-80 Sunday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Maturin, Pac-12 Player of the Year and AP All-American Second Team, scored 30 points.
After Kerr Kriisa missed 3, Maturin was able to steal the ball from TCU’s Emanuel Miller in the paint and put it in to give the Wildcats an 83–80 lead with 1:11 to spare.
After getting a rebound and scoring a basket, Maturin made a couple of punches near the back line.
“My coaches scolded me for not having enough rebounds. I was very happy to get the offensive rebound,” said Maturin, the sixth player from Arizona to score at least 30 points in an NCAA Tournament game.
“So I just went out there and got a rebound, did it. And I was emotional.”