College basketball’s intense competitive environment occasionally erupts into conflict, as highlighted by former New Mexico walk-on Shane Douma-Sanchez’s recent lawsuit. The player has named teammate Tru Washington as the player who allegedly assaulted him during a November 2023 team flight.
Douma-Sanchez claims Washington punched him during an argument over a plane seat, fracturing his nose and re-injuring his shoulder. The lawsuit alleges UNM and then-head coach Richard Pitino violated the New Mexico Civil Rights Act by fostering a “win-at-all-costs culture” that enabled the incident and subsequent cover-up.
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The allegations have sparked varied reactions from college basketball fans.
Former Lobo Who Alleges He Was Punched Names Names
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Some expressed support for Douma-Sanchez, with one Reddit user predicting, “This kid is going to get at the MINIMUM a $150,000 settlement from the university. Smart guy for suing.”
Others questioned the lawsuit’s timing and motives. A Lobos fan remarked that Douma-Sanchez’s story “always seemed off,” noting he “went straight to the TV news” instead of giving university staff time to respond. Another suggested his father “played a big part in how this was handled and reached out to high-profile attorneys and ESPN.”
The case has prompted fans to share stories of similar incidents. A Kentucky supporter recalled, “I can tell you that in Calipari’s first year at UK, a very famous player allegedly punched another player in an early closed practice/scrimmage, and a lot of fans were aware of it at the time.”
Comments speculated this involved DeMarcus Cousins: “I’m putting my money on Boogie Cousins punching either Eric Bledsoe, Patrick Patterson, or Daniel Orton in order of likelihood.”
Other documented basketball altercations include the 2024 Auburn team flight incident, in which two players fought mid-air, forcing the plane to return shortly after takeoff, and the 2024 Incarnate Word vs. Texas A&M Commerce postgame brawl, which reportedly injured bystanders.
Some fans defended traditional sports culture with one noting, “No lie, it’s a better world if people didn’t get punched as often as they did on the court and in the locker rooms of my youth. ‘Talk s***, get hit’ wasn’t just a cliche.”
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The case raises significant questions about institutional accountability in college athletics. Washington has since transferred to Miami, where he stands to benefit from lucrative NIL opportunities. At the same time, Douma-Sanchez, who reportedly missed the entire season due to the shoulder injury sustained in the incident, has left UNM’s program.
As the legal process progresses with court motions scheduled for July 1, many are watching to see if UNM will be compelled to release its internal investigation findings.
The outcome could have broader implications for how universities address player misconduct in an era where NIL deals may incentivize protecting valuable athletes at the expense of team culture and player safety.
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