“Violence is never the answer. At the end of the game, things got out of control,” said Spurs’ Jones-Garcia on his part in the melee at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs‘ David Jones-Garcia is representing Team Dominican Republic at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Tournament, but the team will have to move forward without him.
During a recent match against Team Argentina, tempers flared between the players and coaches and the tension spilled over into a massive brawl postgame, where Jones-Garcia got involved. It was caught on video slugging an Argentinian player and had to be held back.
Leading up to the melee, there was video of racist remarks from the Argentinian head coach, Pablo Prigioni, directed at the Dominican players and there was plenty of chippiness throughout the game.
After the dust settled, Jones-Garcia issued an apology for his behavior to the Dominican Republic and to the Spurs.
“Violence is never the answer. At the end of the game, things got out of control after an Argentine player hit me and another teammate was subjected to racist insults. Adrenaline took over, but I take full responsibility for my actions. I want to apologize to everyone— to my country, to FIBA for organizing a great tournament, to the San Antonio Spurs who expect more from me as a professional, and to the people of Argentina.
As Latinos, we must support each other, grow together, and keep pushing the sport we all love. I let my emotions get the best of me, but experiences like this help me grow and strengthen my emotional intelligence. I will always represent the Dominican Republic with pride and give my very best.”
Despite his apology, FIBA suspended the Spurs wingman for two games for his actions.
The 2025 Summer League standout inked a two-way contract with the team. In the Vegas games, he averaged 21.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He connected on 52.7 percent shooting from the field and 52.9 percent from the three-point line.
Jones-Garcia has played with the Philadelphia Sixers, Utah Jazz, the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars and the G League’s Capitanes.