Long Island Basketball Coach Accused Of Punching 10-Year-Old Player
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – A basketball coach faces charges after he allegedly punched a player on Long Island.
The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Sid Jacobsen Jewish Center in Greenvale, reports CBS2's Alice Gainer.
Police said Cheikh Kadim Ndiaye punched the 10-year-old multiple times during a basketball game of "Knockout," causing pain and bruising to his arms.
People who worked at the athletic center told CBS2 that Ndiaye is very popular and that they've never had an issue with him before.
"He coaches my son, he coaches my nephew my son's friends in the community," said David Dayan, a community center member.
Dayan said he has known the coach for more than four years now and says he hopes people won't rush to judgement until Ndiaye has had his day in court.
"He really is a positive resource in the community," said Dayan. "You know he works on their character as well as their game, and yeah, my son thinks the world of him."
The community center released a statement that reads in part that Ndiaye "has been suspended without pay pending the investigation. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and have launched a comprehensive internal investigation."
The center does have video cameras it'll be reviewing.
Other members say the alleged incident is news to them.
"Very surprised if it's true, I hadn't heard anything about any of the instructors," said Rob Garrod, another community center member.
Ndiaye was charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He was released on his own recognizance and will be back in court in two weeks.
