Alex Renfroe clears up kneeling incident at Burgos: 'This is our way to thank for the support' / News - Basketnews.com

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After the whole of Europe started to discuss Hereda San Pablo Burgos president's kneeling demand to their players, guard Alex Renfroe gave his statement about the situation on social media.

Alex Renfroe

MIN:22.62PTS:5 (33.33%)REB:4As:2ST:0BL:0TO:2GM:1ProfileACB2021/2022

"So… I've been seeing the reports and all the comments about what happened yesterday after the game," Renfroe tweeted. "Let me give some insight since people are giving opinions and may or may not know what they are talking about."

Renfroe said, that it is the tradition of the club to kneel on the court, bang on the court, and chant with their fans after the wins.

"This is my 2nd year here in Burgos. Our tradition here after we win games is to kneel on the court and bang on the court and do a chant with our fans," he added.

According to the American guard, this tradition is the way to thank the best fans in ACB and probably in the whole Europe.

"We do this after every win," Renfroe continued. "Also clapping to all of our fans. Because we really have the best fans in the ACB and 1 of the best in Europe. And they are packed in our gym every game."

"No matter where we are in the standings (Clearly). This is our way to thank them for the support," the American guard explained.

Despite Burgos losing a game yesterday, players wanted to show respect and love for their fans for the last time this season.

"So yesterday… We didn't win but that is exactly what was going on. Just like last year when our season ended because we lost to Tenerife in the 1st round at home. We gathered at center court one last time to thank our fans for the way we had after every win. Yesterday was no different," he continued.

Alex Renfroe didn't see that team's president had any intentions to humiliate and offend his players.

Points this season

44%69,0Points made:69,0Accuracy:44,3%Place in standings:11Record max:69Record min:69Best scorer:Vitor BeniteTeamACBStatisticsSchedule

"Now…you saw the pictures or videos and of course, I have my opinion about it," Renfroe added. "But I can not speak for the president and his actions or intentions. He has to speak for himself about that. Which I am sure he will if he hasn't already."

All the noise and whistling from the crowd was not addressed to the Burgos players, it seems that fans were booing at opponents' players, according to Renfroe.

Because when Burgos stayed on the court alone, all the noise disappeared. Only fans support and love remained there.

"I read we were getting booed & disrespected by our fans because we were kneeling. And that's not true. There were a lot of things going on at that moment. But I’m pretty sure the whistles were directed at Fuenlabrada and/or their fans. (Correct me if I’m wrong)," Renfroe added.

"Because once they left the court I heard no more as we stayed on the court to continue to thank our fans as we always do. Win or lose," he concluded.

The whole incident caused quite an uproar. EuroLeague stars Mike James and Malcolm Delaney also got involved in discussions on Twitter, stating that it's something they would never do and no player should be forced to do it.

"Yea, I'm not kneeling for none of that s**t," James tweeted. "I woulda walked to the back on bro and took my shower."

"Kneeling to get boo'd is ridiculous," Delaney stated. "That's not an apology to the fans, that's letting the fans belittle grown a** men… Crazy players even accepted that."

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