NBA player Chris Boucher has made some shocking revelations about the abuse that players get from angry sports bettors. The Toronto Raptors power forward was on the Hustle Play podcast when he brought some of these issues to light.
While Boucher said that he has received hateful messages on social media throughout his career, he believes that they have worsened since legal sports betting has become more widespread.
person wasn’t happy as they needed the six-foot-nine forward to score ten points
One irate bettor recently sent the 30-year-old a message saying “I chose the wrong slave today.” Boucher explained that the person wasn’t happy as they needed the six-foot-nine forward to score ten points during a game, but he only got five.
With this type of abuse becoming more common, many NBA players are now less willing to interact with fans. Boucher acknowledged that the Raptors have great supporters, but said that hurtful comments can eventually get under a person’s skin and players might then react in an uncharacteristic way.
Just this week it was revealed that Washington Wizard shooting guard Bradley Beale is under police investigation for battery after an interaction with a fan. While he was walking off the court after a recent game, an angry sports bettor lambasted Beale over a $1,300 lost bet. This led to a confrontation during which the three-time All-Star allegedly made contact with a fan’s head.