UCLA redshirt freshman forward Mac Etienne received a police citation for appearing to spit in the direction of Arizona fans on Thursday night following the No. 3 Bruins' 76-66 loss to the No. 7 Wildcats. Etienne, who is not playing this season while rehabbing a knee injury, was captured on video in what appeared to be a heated verbal exchange with Arizona fans as UCLA returned to the locker room following the game.
Though he was cited, Etienne was not detained by police, according to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times. He was allowed to travel with the Bruins to Phoenix as they prepare to play at Arizona State on Saturday, Bolch reported.
"UCLA Athletics is committed to and expects the highest level of sportsmanship," the school said in a statement. "We are aware of the incident involving a student-athlete at tonight's men's basketball game, and the matter is under review."
Etienne is in his second season with the Bruins after joining the program midway through the 2020-21 season as an early enrollee. Despite his late arrival, he played key minutes for UCLA late last season leading up to the team's improbable Final Four run. The New York native was considered a four-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class.
Arizona's win put the Wildcats ahead of UCLA for sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 standings and evened the season series between the two at one game apiece after UCLA won the first meeting in Los Angeles last week.
