Cal player supposedly called a ‘terrorist’ by fan

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff WriterNov 23, 2023, 01:00 AM ET

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  • Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

Cal has asked authorities at a West Coast vacation tournament to prohibit a fan who supposedly called Fardaws Aimaq a “terrorist” before the sixth-year forward challenged him in the stands.A video flowing on social media shows Aimaq, who is the child of Afghan refugees and is from Vancouver, British Columbia, approaching a fan in the crowd after Cal’s 75-72 loss to UTEP on Monday in the SoCal Challenge held in San Juan Capistrano. Aimaq can be seen favoring the guy and pointing his finger at him while he speaks to him.Cal coach Mark Madsen said in a statement Wednesday that Aimaq confronted the fan after supposedly going through bad language throughout the game and after it.

“Throughout and after Monday’s game, Fardaws Aimaq was supposedly subjected to abhorrent and offensive comments from a fan– including being called a terrorist,” Madsen stated. “I have asked the SoCal Difficulty tournament director that an official investigation be conducted which this fan be disallowed from the properties.”

Aimaq’s agent, Daniel Poneman, stated the fan remained after the game and continued to heckle Aimaq before he consulted with his family.Aimaq, a 6-foot-11

transfer from Texas Tech, is averaging 16 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for Cal, his 4th school. He grew up in Canada, where his moms and dads settled after getting away the Soviet-Afghan War.Madsen, who is in his very first season at Cal, stated the

language presumably used by the fan is incorrect but likewise said Aimaq will be disciplined for facing the guy in the stands.”Fardaws and I had an essential discussion today about how he requires to

maintain his composure despite what happens in a game or what is stated to him straight, “Madsen said in the statement.”I am disturbed that Fardaws was presumably on the getting end of such language, and I’m disappointed that he confronted this fan in the stands. Fardaws understands my expectations for how he as a student-athlete conducts himself. The effects connected to this situation will be managed internally. “Added Madsen after Wednesday’s 84-81 loss to Tulane:” Generally good ideas do not take place when a player goes into the stands to face a situation. So I talked to him about that, however the primary message was I’m sorry you had to experience that. I’m sorry that occurred.”Aimaq has 23 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday’s loss in the third-place game of the competition. The Golden Bears(2-4)next play at home versus San Diego State on Saturday.” The important things that were stated to him should not be stated to anyone,”teammate Jalen Cone informed press reporters after Wednesday’s game, according to Sports Illustrated.” Just being assistance for him during that time and keeping him focused.”… That just shows who he is, how he can bounce back from adversity. He’s been doing it his whole life.

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