UCLA basketball coach Mick Cronin ejected his own player, Steven Jamerson, during a 82-59 loss to Michigan State on Tuesday night. The incident occurred late in the game when Jamerson committed a flagrant foul on a dunk attempt. Cronin expressed disappointment, citing the defenseless nature of the play.
The game took place in East Lansing, Michigan, with Michigan State leading 77-50 and 4:26 remaining when the incident unfolded. Steven Jamerson II, a redshirt senior forward for UCLA, pursued Michigan State's Cooper Carson on a breakaway and hit him from behind as Carson attempted a dunk. Officials called a flagrant foul, prompting Cronin to immediately send Jamerson to the locker room, an action that went viral on social media. Jamerson had recorded two points, five rebounds, and two assists in eight minutes of play before the ejection. Michigan State, ranked No. 15 with a 21-5 record, dominated the Bruins, shooting 52.7% from the field compared to UCLA's 36.8%, and 51.9% from three-point range against 32%. Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr each scored 16 points for the Spartans, with Fears adding 10 assists. UCLA's Tyler Bilodeau led all scorers with 22 points, but the No. 20 Bruins (17-9) suffered their second straight loss by more than 20 points. Cronin later told reporters, 'I was thoroughly disappointed; the guy was defenseless in the air. I know Steve was trying to block the shot, but the game's a 25-point game. You don't do that.' Michigan State coach Tom Izzo commented on the ejection, saying, 'I guess he upgraded that to a flagrant 2, huh? That's the first time I saw a coach do it, but that sounds like Mick.' Additional context emerged about Jamerson's background: the Los Angeles native from Crespi High School in Encino had attempted to walk on at Michigan State but was rejected, even for a student manager role. He played three seasons at the University of San Diego, averaging 8.0 points and 6.9 rebounds in 71 games, before transferring to UCLA, where he averages 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game this season. Crespi assistant coach Ryan Moore posted on Twitter/X defending Jamerson, noting the emotional significance of returning to East Lansing and criticizing Cronin for a lack of respect, a post that garnered nearly 300,000 views. Pundit Seth Davis reposted it, calling the ejection humiliating and noting it was ruled a flagrant 1 foul. Cronin also snapped at a reporter postgame over a question about Michigan State fans chanting for former player Xavier Booker, dismissing it sharply. UCLA hosts No. 10 Illinois on Saturday, while Michigan State faces Ohio State on Sunday.
