Gillespie faces one game suspension after guilty plea

BNZ Breakers center Freddie Gillespie will miss the opening game of the new season after being given a one game suspension by the NBL Game Review Panel (GRP).

Gillespie headbutted Sydney Kings player Shaun Bruce late in Friday night’s match at the pre-season Blitz on the Gold Coast, with the GRP determining the incident as intentional medium impact and high contact resulting in a two-game suspension, reduced to one game with an early guilty plea.

The Breakers, alongside Gillespie, have accepted the decision and submitted an early guilty plea.

Gillespie has expressed deep remorse for his actions, recognising the impact on both the club and the league.

“Freddie has owned his actions and shown genuine remorse, and we support him as he moves forward from this,” BNZ Breakers CEO Lisa Edser said.

“The club accepts the suspension as a fair outcome, and we are focused on moving on in a positive manner. We are committed to making the 2024/25 season one of growth, unity, and success both on and off the court.”

The NBL25 season begins at HoopsFest in Perth with the BNZ Breakers’ first game on Saturday 21 September against the Brisbane Bullets, with free-to-air on TVNZ+ and live coverage on ESPN.