Perth’s Wagstaff suspended for rough NBL play

NBL veteran Jesse Wagstaff will miss the Perth Wildcats’ next game after being suspended for excessively rough play.

In the Wildcats’ loss to Melbourne United on Friday night, Wagstaff set the screen and beat Lachlan Barker in the first quarter.

Wagstaff’s hit gave Barker a game-ending concussion, which was classified as “carelessness, high impact and high contact” by the Game Review Panel.

The committee has proposed a two-game suspension, but Wagstaff will only miss one game if he pleads guilty early.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman says six-time NBL champions Wagstaff asked him to check on Barker’s health after Friday’s game against Perth.

“Jesse is the best player in this league and he’s setting a solid screen,” Bickerman told reporters.

“Jesse is confident that what he did was not malicious.”

Wagstaff’s suspension is the first of the NBL season, which began earlier this month.

The Wildcats (3-1) will face the Tasmanian Jackjumpers in their next game on Saturday.

If the Wildcats skipper fails the challenge, he will also miss the game against South East Melbourne Phoenix on October 28.

AAP