Wild moment injured Hawaii Pacific college basketball player gets brutally dragged off the court by rival trainers
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Tiny Division II Hawaii Pacific stunned 21-point favorite Boise State in Monday's season opener for both college basketball teams.
But more than the 79-78 upset, the bigger story on social media centered on the seemingly careless way Boise State trainers removed opponent Joshua West from the court as he battled a severe cramp.
With West laying on his back late in the second half, one Boise State trainer moved to stretch his left leg towards the ceiling, while another trainer curiously pulled the senior guard to the bench by his right arm.
'Feel like this isn't how you deal with an injury,' Barstool Sports' Dan Katz wrote on X.
One follower jokingly disagreed, writing: 'I think it is. I saw it in the movie gladiator once.'
West looked to be in agony as he was taken to the bench, which may have had more to do with the leg cramp than the fact he was being dragged across the hardwood by a pair of trainers.
Joshua West had a game-high 23 points before suffering a severe cramp late in the game
Television viewers were stunned to see the way West was dragged off the court by trainers
A statement from Hawaiʻi Pacific University to Daily Mail read: 'In the wake of Hawai‘i Pacific University’s impressive win over Division I opponent Boise State, an unfortunate incident occurred in which a Boise State athletic trainer inappropriately dragged an HPU player off the court while he was suffering an injury.
'We are relieved to report that the injury to HPU student-athlete Joshua West is not serious. However, we have expressed our concern to the Boise State Athletics Department regarding the manner in which the situation was handled.
'Under no circumstances should an injured player be treated in such a manner. The health, safety, and dignity of all student-athletes must remain the highest priority in collegiate athletics.'
West did not return, ending his night with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting.
As for the game, Hawaii Pacific shut down Boise State's frantic final possession to seal a stunning one-point upset in Boise. HPU did not lead by more than seven points at any time on Monday.
'That was our main goal coming in, one possession at a time, don't look up at the scoreboard,' Sea Warriors coach Jesse Nakanishi said afterwards. 'I'm just so proud of them.'
Hawaii Pacific won despite losing the battle on the boards, 40-27, thanks to 23 points off 12 Boise State turnovers.
Daily Mail
