Memphis Women's Basketball Guard Charged With Assault After Handshake Line Punch (UPDATE)

Memphis women’s basketball senior guard Jamirah Shutes has been charged with assault after she punched Bowling Green State University player Elissa Brett.

March 24, 2023

UPDATED 3/29, 5:40 p.m. ET: Jamirah Shutes is pleading not guilty in her case, according to TMZ.

Shutes’ attorney Steven Crossmock appeared in court in Ohio to submit the plea on her behalf. Crossmock was not immediately available for comment.

Shutes is tentatively due back in court next month.

See original story below.

Memphis women’s basketball senior guard Jamirah Shutes has been charged with assault after she punched Bowling Green State University player Elissa Brett.

Per TMZ, Shutes reportedly got into a verbal argument with Brett following the conclusion of their game on Thursday, which BGSU won 73-60. It’s unclear what words they exchanged, but it led to Shutes punching Brett in the face during the handshake line that followed the game. Video of the moment showed that the BGSU player fell to the floor after she was hit, and was later seen being guided off the court as tears fell down her face. Shutes was also escorted off the court.

According to officials at Bowling Green State, Shutes was charged with assault on Friday. Authorities noted that Brett suffered from swelling in her right eye, but she is said to be “recovering and doing well.” Police have launched an investigation into the incident, while BGSU said it will be “conducting its own review.” Per the Commercial Appeal, the two players appeared to get into a brief altercation with just 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Shutes was fouled by Brett and her teammate Sophie Dziekan, who appeared to hit Shutes in the face while trying to get the ball.

In a statement, the school said, “Violence is never acceptable and our priority remains the health, safety and support of our student-athlete.” Shutes and Brett have yet to publicly address the matter, but Memphis University released a statement in which the school called the incident “extremely unfortunate and certainly not consistent with, or representative of, our expectations for our programs and student-athletes.”