KU’s Silvio De Sousa apologizes for role in melee: ‘I messed up and I am sorry’
Kansas junior forward Silvio De Sousa apologized Wednesday night on Twitter for his behavior at the conclusion of Tuesday’s Kansas-Kansas State basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse.
“I messed up and I am sorry,” De Sousa wrote, concluding a lengthy post on social media.
He made his apology public after the Big 12 announced that the Angola native would receive a 12-game suspension for his role in Tuesday’s melee.
De Sousa was captured on camera throwing punches and picking up a stool and briefly holding it above his head during the benches clearing fight that broke loose after De Sousa blocked a shot by K-State’s DaJuan Gordon with one second left in KU’s 81-60 victory. The fight spilled into the seating area for persons with disabilities behind the fieldhouse’s south goal post.
Gordon stole the ball from De Sousa as he attempted to dribble out the final seconds.
Here is De Sousa’s statement: “Yesterday, during the Kansas State game, I displayed highly unacceptable behavior that was a poor representation of my team as well as my own character. There is no excuse for my behavior, and I cannot justify the unreasonable choices that I made yesterday on the court. I not only showed a lack of sportsmanship, but I put myself, my teammates and the fans in danger.
“I am truly embarrassed by my actions and have let everyone down who has supported me on my basketball journey. There is no amount of regret that I can express that will correct this mistake.
“I understand that I am extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play for KU and I recognize that I never should have let my emotions get the best of me, but unfortunately that is what happened. By doing so, I put the Kansas reputation at stake because of a moment of weakness and inconsideration.”
De Sousa’s apology message also addressed how fans supported him while he was held out of games and later ruled ineligible by the NCAA for two seasons because of alleged payments made by an Adidas employee to De Sousa’s guardian. Those payments were cited in a NCAA notice of allegations sent to KU last fall that charged the basketball program and coach Bill Self with five Level I violations.
Kansas appealed the second year of the punishment and the NCAA reinstated De Sousa, allowing him to play this season.
“I have always been so grateful for the faith that you all have shown towards me during the last year,” De Sousa’s statement continued. “I have been so lucky to have experienced unwavering love and support from not only my family, but the University of Kansas and the basketball community.
“You guys fought for me when nobody else did, and I am eternally grateful. It destroys me to think that my actions yesterday overshadowed everything that we have overcome together.
“I will continue to support my team and do everything I can to help while serving my suspension. I messed up and I am sorry.”
De Sousa and David McCormack, who received a two-game suspension, are allowed to practice during their suspension.
Kansas State also had two players suspended: James Love was suspended for eight games and Antonio Gordon for three. The suspensions will start immediately, except for Love, who is injured. His suspension will start after he is medically cleared to play.
De Sousa won’t be eligible to return until KU’s March 7 season finale at Texas Tech. He will miss the KU-K-State game in Manhattan on Feb. 29 and the Jayhawks’ home finale March 4 against TCU. McCormack will miss Saturday’s game vs. Tennessee and Monday night’s game at Oklahoma State.
Here is the Big 12’s statement on rules regarding the suspended players:
“These suspensions prohibit the student-athletes from traveling with the team to away-from-home competition, participating in pregame activities, and being in the team’s bench area. However, the student-athletes may continue to practice and receive related support incidental to their participation as student-athletes.”
This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 8:50 PM with the headline "KU’s Silvio De Sousa apologizes for role in melee: ‘I messed up and I am sorry’."
