Jamirah Shutes, a senior guard at the memphis Women’s Basketball Team, pleaded not guilty to one charge of assault after she was accused of punching a Bowling Green player in the face following the Tigers’ loss in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) last week, authorities confirmed.
The Bowling Green City Attorney’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital that an attorney representing Shutes pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday.
Bowling Green Falcons guard Elissa Brett (5) attempts to make a charge call against Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes (23) during a third round matchup of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament between the Memphis Tigers and the Bowling Green Flacons on March 23, 2023 at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The office representing Shutes did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
JAMIRAH SHUTES OF MEMPHIS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT FOR ALLEGEDLY HITTING BGSU’S ELISSA BRETT IN LINE OF HANDS LEARNING
The Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Police Department issued a press release Friday to announce that Shutes had been charged with assault after an «unwarranted physical incident» in which she was captured on video punching Falcon Guard Elissa Brett in the face during the handshake line.
«Violence is never acceptable, and our priority remains the health, safety and support of our recovering and well-recovering student athlete. This is an active investigation in conjunction with the Bowling Green City Attorney, and no further comments are available.» at this time,» the statement said.
Bowling Green Falcons guard Elissa Brett (5), left, is assisted off the court after an altercation with Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes (not pictured) during the handshake post-game following a third round of the WNIT on March 23, 2023 at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The event occurred at the end of the Memphis-BGSU Sweet 16 Showdown. As both teams approached half court to shake hands, Shutes seemed to stop as he reached Brett’s side.
Shutes then appeared to punch Brett, forcing her to the ground.
According to an incident report provided by BGSU, Shutes allegedly punched Brett in the face «with a clenched fist,» which caused «some swelling in [Brett’s] Right eye.»
A member of the Tigers’ coaching staff appeared to grab Shutes and escort her off the court.
Memphis Tigers guard Jamirah Shutes (23) is escorted off the court after an altercation with Bowling Green Falcons guard Elissa Brett (not pictured) on March 23, 2023 in the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Memphis issued a statement Friday to confirm that it was working with local authorities, adding that the incident «was extremely unfortunate and is certainly not consistent with or representative of our expectations for our programs and student-athletes.»