NZ Breakers forward Tom Vodanovich has added to a forgettable weekend for the Auckland-based Australian NBL club, after he created a disturbance on a flight back from Perth on Monday morning.
While club management were scrambling to defuse the fallout from American Glen Rice Jnr's late-night misadventures last week, police met his teammate at Auckland Airport to question him about the midair incident.
In a statement, the Breakers confirmed to Newshub they were aware of the incident, which happened after Vodanovich drank alcohol and then popped a sleeping pill. He apparently has no recollection of the homeward journey.
"I am mortified to have embarrassed the club and myself on the flight," he said. "I am particularly upset to have contributed to the perception there is a bad culture at the club, when it absolutely is not the case.
"I have given my commitment to do whatever it takes to rebuild trust with [owner Matt Walsh, basketball director Dan Shamir] and the whole team. I am very sorry to have acted like this."
Shamir has accepted the apology for behaviour he regarded as out of character.
"I know Tom and I know him to be a good team guy," he said. "I believe Tom is genuinely remorseful and we will move on from this incident quickly."
The Breakers intend to discipline Vodanovich internally and will make no further comment, but Newshub sources confirm other players were involved in the disturbance.
On Monday, the club announced it would suspend Rice indefinitely, after he arrested and charged with assault at an Auckland bar at 4:15am last Thursday.
The American will appear in court on Wednesday, but Walsh confirms - regardless of the outcome - his behaviour fell short of the club's expectations.
The ANBL ordered Rice to be stood down from the Breaker's 88-77 road loss to the Perth Wildcats on Sunday. The result saw them slump to the bottom of the competition table, with two wins and seven losses for the season.
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