Good human more important than good player

On Sept 18, Tywon Ronell Lawson, a United States-origin basketball player playing for Fujian Xunxing Basketball Club, who is better known as Ty Lawson, posted a photograph on his personal social networking account with some unflattering remarks about Chinese women.

On Saturday, the club announced it will not renew its contract with Lawson after the league season ends. It was later reported that Lawson had been put on the China Basketball Association's blacklist and banned from participating for life.

There is no denying Lawson is an exceptional player; in the last season alone, he played 33 matches, scoring on average, 27.3 points in each. That's why some called his departure "a loss" for the club. However, the departure of a player with such low morals is no loss. By refusing to renew his contract, the club has done the right thing and defended its image.

By using derogatory words, Lawson has violated the spirit of the game and the basic rules of a civilized society. His action shows he is unfit to be a basketball player for China.

Even before the incident, Lawson was caught on video engaging in an altercation with some Chinese customers at a cafe. He reportedly invited their disaffection for speaking loudly on the phone.

In selecting future players from overseas, all clubs must be careful to check their antecedents.

If any player with a background like Lawson's gets selected in the future and causes trouble, it will reflect badly on the club selecting him or her.

It is important to be a good basketball player, but it is more important to be a good human being.