Nigel Bethel II, an incoming freshman cornerback from Miami, Fla., punched Battle in the face Saturday during a pickup basketball game at Texas Tech’s student rec center. The punch broke a bone in Battle’s face, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, and she is expected to undergo surgery.
The school’s athletic department released a statement Sunday announcing Bethel’s dismissal, stating that it “has a zero tolerance policy on this type of behavior.”
Battle was the Lady Raiders’ leading scorer and rebounder as a junior last season, averaging 16.4 points and 7.4 boards per game. After the incident, the Albuquerque, N.M., native tweeted, “Pray for me y’all.”
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