The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) has issued sweeping sanctions following Friday night’s benches-clearing fight between the Belize City Defenders and the Orange Walk Running Rebels at the Orange Walk Sporting Complex.
In a statement, the league said it was “disturbed” by the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to its mantra, “Basketball at its Best.” The NEBL also announced that all fines collected, totaling $5,100, will be donated to a charitable organization to be selected by the league office.
Belize City Defenders Sanctions
The heaviest penalty was handed to Kelvin Cumberbatch, who has been suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season and fined $800 for striking an opponent.
John Kelly received a six-game suspension and an $800 fine for kicking and striking an opponent.
Three additional players, D’Von Campbell, Bobby Williams, and Ajang Aguek, were each suspended for one game and fined $200 for pushing or striking an opponent.
Six unnamed Defenders players were fined $100 each for leaving the bench area during the altercation, bringing the team’s total fines to $2,800.
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Orange Walk Running Rebels Sanctions
On the Rebels’ side, Kiy Houston was suspended for one game and fined $200 for pushing an opponent. He was also fined an additional $400 for refusing to leave the court in a timely manner and remaining in the arena after disqualification.
Stanford Williams and Kenneth Perkins Jr. were each suspended for one game and fined $200 for pushing an opponent, along with an additional $200 each for remaining in the arena after being disqualified.
Luis Sosa was suspended for one game and fined $200 for striking an opponent.
Seven unnamed Rebels players were fined $100 each for leaving the bench area during the fight, totaling $700 in bench violations.
The Rebels’ total fines amount to $2,300.
The league stated that it remains committed to holding players and teams accountable as the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach.
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