By ADAM ZAGORIA
Several players will transfer out of New Mexico State in the wake of a sexual hazing scandal that triggered the university to end the team’s season.
Redshirt guard Shahar Lazar announced via Twitter that he will transfer.
“Having served several years in the Israeli military, I was raised on the value of excellence, discipline, respect, reliability and accountability,” he Tweeted. “However, in retrospect, I don’t believe the program that I originally committed to currently aligns with my beliefs and core values.”
Shooting guard Kyle Feit was the first rotation player to announce his transfer plans.
“My family instilled values in me that haven’t wavered, at at this time, I’m looking to find a place that aligns with them,” Feit posted.
— Kyle Feit (@KyleFeit) February 12, 2023
The hazing incident was reported on in depth by the Las Cruces Sun News:
On Sunday, some of the disturbing details emerged through New Mexico State University Police Department documents.
On Feb. 10, according to a redacted incident report, the victim reported “ongoing hazing being inflicted upon him while in the men’s basketball locker room at the Pan American Center.” He told police he wished to remain anonymous and did not wish to press charges at the time.
The alleged victim named three teammates who had been directly involved in the hazing since July/August 2022. He stated the most recent incident occurred on Feb. 6 inside the locker room. He stated that the three named players held him facing down, removed his clothing, exposing his buttocks and began to “slap his a**.”
He told police that they also touched his scrotum. The victim told police it had been an ongoing issue both at the Pan American Center and at away games. He told police he had no choice because it was a “3 on 1” type of situation. He told police that this conduct was usually done in front of the whole team and that no one intervened.
My heart aches for the young man tied to these hazing allegations. The final decision is in the best interest of our conference as well as providing New Mexico State with an opportunity to heal and determine the future direction of their Men’s Basketball program. https://t.co/HdFRz7nx6q
— Brian Thornton (@BrianThornton2) February 13, 2023
New Mexico State University Chancellor Dan Arvizu said in a statement:
“Hazing is a despicable act. It humiliates and degrades someone and has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm, or even death. Sadly, hazing can become part of an organization’s culture, if left unchecked. NMSU policy strictly prohibits hazing in all forms, and it’s something we simply will not tolerate.”
The basketball team was 9-15, 2-10 in the WAC when the season was suspended.
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