Marcus Bagley says he’s not in ASU rotation because of disciplinary reason

Arizona State junior wing Marcus Bagley lent clarity as to why he has only played two games this season — and why he’s not reentered the Sun Devils’ rotation despite being healthy enough to play the last two games.

Via a tweet that followed ASU’s 76-54 victory on Sunday against Alcorn State, Bagley said he was benched for disciplinary reasons.

“I usually don’t address locker room situations to media but for some reason people aren’t being transparent,” Bagley wrote. “To my fans & friends that are concerned, the reason I’m not playing has NOTHING to do with basketball or my ability.

“After my last game I played vs. NAU, out of frustration I made a mistake and said some things to (head coach Bobby Hurley) that I shouldn’t have said. Me not playing is 100% punishment for what I said that day. Again I am 100% healthy, & eager to play.”

Bagley averaged 12.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games but has combined to shoot 7-of-22 from the field. After playing Northern Arizona on Nov. 10, Bagley was ruled out with a hip pointer and didn’t travel with the team for the next three outings.

For the two games after that, both at home, Bagley has been with the team but did not leave the bench.

Last Tuesday following a win against Grambling State, Hurley was asked about Bagley not playing.

“Our perimeter is really playing at a high level and wasn’t going to disrupt anything tonight,” Hurley said after the game.

Bagley tweeted afterward that he was “1000%” healthy.

Hurley was not asked Sunday after the victory against Alcorn State when Bagley might return.

Because of injuries, Bagley has played for 17 games in three seasons for the Sun Devils. He remains the team’s top professional prospect despite the lack of availability and is currently No. 100 on ESPN’s list of top players for the 2023 NBA Draft.

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