The Sydney Kings appeared to have taken down Australian basketball legend Shane Heal’s banner from the club’s Wall of Legends.
In what appears to be an ugly fallout from Heal’s exit as coach of the WNBL’s Sydney Flames, the 53-year-old’s banner is no longer hanging from the rafters at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, where the Kings play their home games.
Watch every game of the NBL season with ESPN on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
The Wall of Legends honours those who have made significant contributions to the Kings and Heal has previously featured alongside the likes of six-time NBL champion CJ Bruton and legendary coach Brian Goorjian.
But during Sydney’s 87-85 NBL win over the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday, eagle eyed fans noticed Heal’s banner was missing from the rafters.
One supporter wrote on X: “The Kings have pulled down his retired jersey banner at Qudos. That’s some petty stuff.”
Contacted by news.com.au about the disappearance of Heal’s banner, the Kings said: “The club has no comment on the matter.”
Heal played six seasons for the Kings across three stints and was part of the Sydney’s team that won the 2003 NBL championship, which kickstarted a rare title three-peat. Heal also coached the Kings from 2012-2014.
Heal coached the franchise’s affiliated WNBL team the Sydney Flames from 2021 but he and his daughter Shyla left the Flames in January while he faced a club investigation.
Shyla moved to the Townsville Fire mid-season and went on to win the WNBL championship. She is now plying her trade in Europe.
Regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever basketballers, Heal is a four-time Olympian and counts NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal among his biggest fans.
The absence of his banner is a sad fallout from bullying claims that were heard in court earlier this year.
Heal sued the Flames in the Federal Court, accusing the club of breaching employment law and sought orders blocking them from sacking him as well as financial penalties.
Sydney Flames claimed the club launched an investigation earlier this year into Mr Heal’s conduct after players approached management with bullying complaints.
Heal was accused of asking a player “what the f**k she was doing” twice at training and once at a game.
He was also accused of lashing out at another player and singling out players in video sessions, telling them they had “stuffed up” in front of the entire team. Heal denied any wrongdoing.
The Kings have won the past two NBL championships and are aiming to claim just the third title threepeat in the league’s history.