Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum will be investigated by Basketball Australia’s (BA) integrity unit following his post-match comments following a controversial loss to Melbourne United.
The investigation will focus on Tatum’s comments criticizing the referees, who he claimed were influenced by his race and actions following the Hawks’ 92-87 loss at the WIN Entertainment Center.
Tatum, the father of NBA All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum, called the referees “incompetent” and suggested he was “being made an example of” because of his height, voice and skin color.
The match had a tense ending when Hawks guard Will Hickey called for a foul on Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding, who appeared to exaggerate the contact.
With just 22.1 seconds left in the game, the Hawks trailed 87-84 when Goulding went down in theatrical fashion, clutching his ankle.
The incident sparked a heated reaction from Tatum, who was subsequently assessed a technical foul after the game clock failed to start on the incoming play.
Tatum admitted telling a referee he made a “terrible squeaky call” but denied his comments were disrespectful.
Illawarra Hawks coach Justin Tatum was left stunned by the referee’s decisions in the final moments of their thrilling match against Melbourne United
Chris Goulding, who celebrated his 36th birthday, was criticized for exaggerating contact with Hawks star Will Hickey
During the post-match press conference, Tatum was asked if other NBL coaches could expect similar punishments for their conduct.
“One hundred percent, but it’s just going to be up to me,” Tatum said.
“I’m intimidating, I think my voice is too deep, I’m too tall and my skin color is different or whatever,” he said at his post-match press conference.
“It’s me, you know, because I hear the same coaches saying similar things or complaining about the same things and their leash is a little longer.
“But I think I should be made an example of.”
Tatum is the father of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, an NBA All-Star and championship winner
Justin moved to Australia to continue his coaching career and took over at Illawarra in 2023
The technical error proved costly as Melbourne United secured victory in a closely fought match.
Goulding’s performance, which included five three-pointers and a game-high 25 points, played a key role in Melbourne’s victory.
Tatum hit out at the former Australian Boomer, who was part of the Paris Olympics squad, for his dramatic performance to seal the result.
‘We’re just glad Chris Goulding didn’t hurt himself when he fell to the ground in front of us. So I’m glad he’s injury-free,” Tatum said sarcastically.
‘The officials at the time unfortunately just made a bad decision, a bad decision. It is what it is.
“Emotions were running high at that moment because everyone in the gym at the time thought this was the call, even myself.
“When they took the time to know the clock wasn’t running, the emotions wandered because we knew we had a chance… we were three down.
‘Unfortunately, we still have a referee who decides to give a technical foul due to emotions during the decision.
“I told them it was a ‘bleeping horrible call.’ [the foul on Goulding] and I felt like every coach in this league would probably have the emotions at the same time.”
Goulding was best on the pitch for United in their win against top-flight Hawks, but is once again under fire for his flopping.
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman was simply happy with the win in a thrilling match in Wollongong
Hawks owner Jared Novelly reportedly stormed out of the building after the Goulding incident and later expressed his anger on social media.
It is the second week in a row that Goulding has come under fire for his ‘flopping’, after South East Melbourne owner Romie Chaudhari said he is ‘constantly flopping and crying, that s*** is weak’.
Novelly backed Chaudhari and called on Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman to address Goulding’s actions.
“I guess I’m not the only one who feels that way about that guy [Goulding] at @MelbUnited….What does Coach Vickerman have to say next?’ Newly posted on social media platform X.
But Vickerman downplayed 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 had an ankle injury,” Vickerman said.
“There was some contact, there were some things, but he played a great game.
“He was huge for us today, the way he wanted to play the basketball in big moments, the shots he wanted to make, and that’s the Chris Goulding I want to talk about.
“Today’s his birthday, so one to celebrate for him.”