UCLA Coach Ejects Own Player for Foul During Loss to Michigan State

Mick Cronin took action before officials could rule on the play.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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In a blowout loss to Michigan State, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin ejected one of his own players, Steven Jamerson II, for committing a hard foul on a Spartans player during a breakaway dunk attempt. Cronin grabbed Jamerson by the jersey and walked him to the bench, directing him to the locker room before officials could even review the play.

Why it matters

Cronin's decision to eject his own player was highly unusual, as coaches typically let officials handle disciplinary matters during games. This incident highlights Cronin's no-nonsense approach and his willingness to hold his players accountable, even when the team is struggling and the game is out of reach.

The details

With 4:26 remaining and UCLA trailing by 27 points, reserve center Steven Jamerson II committed a hard foul on Michigan State's Carson Cooper during a breakaway dunk attempt. After the foul, Cooper jumped up and squared off with Jamerson before teammates separated them. Before officials could review the play, Cronin grabbed Jamerson, walked him to the bench, and pointed him toward the locker room, ejecting him from the game.

  • The incident occurred with 4:26 remaining in the game, as UCLA trailed Michigan State by 27 points.

The players

Mick Cronin

The head coach of the UCLA men's basketball team, now in his seventh season with the Bruins.

Steven Jamerson II

A reserve center for the UCLA Bruins who was ejected by Cronin for committing a hard foul during the game against Michigan State.

Carson Cooper

The center for the Michigan State Spartans who was on the receiving end of Jamerson's foul.

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What they’re saying

“Steve's a good kid. He made a bad decision. But if you want to be a tough guy, you need to do it during the game, for a blockout, for a rebound.”

— Mick Cronin, UCLA Head Coach (ESPN)

“I guess he upgraded that to a flagrant 2, huh? That's the first time I saw a coach do it, but that sounds like Mick. So, he'll get that straightened out.”

— Tom Izzo, Michigan State Head Coach (ESPN)

What’s next

UCLA hosts No. 10 Illinois on Saturday, with three of its final five regular season games at home. The team will need to show a different kind of fight in those games to bolster its NCAA Tournament case.

The takeaway

Cronin's decision to eject his own player during a blowout loss highlights his no-nonsense approach and willingness to hold his players accountable, even when the team is struggling. This incident could be a wake-up call for the Bruins as they look to bounce back and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.