SOLENT Stars coach Alan Cunningham has indefinitely suspended one of his starting five players, Nick OHarabe.
The in-house disciplinary action follows a changing room bust-up after last Saturday's 82-72 defeat by Paws London Capitals at Fleming Park.
Although he did not witness the incident, coach Cunningham said: "We need to be a team to be successful and Nick has yet to demonstrate that he is willing to be a team member."
Several supporters said OHarabe had made remarks to the players on the team bench towards the end of the game.
Solent director Jim Rumsey said: "We leave player matters in the hands of the coach and so fully support the action the coach has taken, even though it involves one of the more senior players.
"Cunningham argued a persuasive case at the beginning of the season to include Nick against the wishes of the club directors. He must feel very let down by this latest development."
With Solent Stars currently bottom, the pressure is on to try and bring in a second American player.
Club official Cliff Fullbrook was assured by England Basketball officials at a meeting in Sheffield that Larry Parker, whom Solent are trying to bring over from Florida, would only need to produce two seasons' statistics before applying for a work permit.
This is an improvement on the previous position where statistics for four seasons were required.
Solent play at south coast rivals Worthing Thunder tonight (Worthing Leisure Centre, 8pm). Worthing are having a disappointing season by their own high standards, lying mid-table with three wins from seven league matches. Last weekend they lost 97-89 at Teesside.
Stars will be expecting more from centre Phil Long, who now has an added burden on his shoulders with the loss of OHarabe.
Cunningham was full of praise for 6ft 8in Long, saying: "He is willing to learn and listens to what the coaches have to say."
Six foot six inch Andy Aung may again be called up from the second team to provide cover, having already made the first-team trip to Teesside.
The busy Aung will also feature in the second team's trip to Reading Rockets tomorrow (Rivermede Leisure Centre, 1.15pm).
Mick Byrne's men lie second in Division 3 and are hoping to make it six wins out of seven.
After last week's bruising encounter with South Notts, Solent are expecting a smoother ride against a team who, like them, are playing their first season in National League.
Solent Stars' women face the biggest weekend of the season at Stockport Lapwings in the league tonight and then Rhondda Rebels in the National Cup quarter-final tomorrow.
"We will not have Katerina Syngellakis available this weekend and have injury worries with Maria Tobar, but I am really looking forward to both encounters," said coach Michael Ball.
"We have had a great start to the league campaign with two wins but we have key areas to improve.
"Our team wants to run and press at every opportunity and the energy the players bring to the game is fantastic, but we must also understand when to control the tempo and make teams play half-court defence."
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