NBA Star Andrew Bogut's Neighbor Faces Court Over Basketball Dispute
Police seek protection order for Bogut as neighbor claims distress from the legal battle.
A neighborhood dispute involving NBA legend Andrew Bogut and his neighbor, chef Michaela Newby, is heading to court as police seek an apprehended violence order (AVO) to protect Bogut. The conflict reportedly centers on a basketball hoop installed on the external wall of Newby's rental home, adjacent to Bogut's $3.8 million mansion in Sydney.
Newby, 53, has stated she is "not really" okay due to the stress of the legal proceedings. The dispute escalated after Bogut publicly accused a neighbor of stabbing his child's basketball with a knife and throwing it at the youngster. Bogut also alleged that a neighbor had threatened his 8-year-old child. These accusations were made via his Instagram account.
Newby has not been charged with any offense. She did not appear in court on Wednesday as the AVO application had not yet been served. The matter was adjourned to November 18. The conflict is understood to stem from noise complaints by Newby regarding basketballs being bounced on the shared wall, particularly during afternoons when she was resting after work shifts.
The situation reportedly intensified when a basketball from Bogut's yard went over the fence into Newby's property and was allegedly returned damaged. Neighbors have described hearing basketball sessions in Bogut's yard lasting about 15 to 20 minutes. They also noted that there has been no basketball activity since the dispute flared up.
The visual contrast between the properties is significant: Bogut resides in a recently refurbished Victorian mansion, while Newby rents a modest one-bedroom flat. Bogut, a former NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors and an assistant coach for the Sydney Kings, has a prominent career in basketball.
Neighbors have expressed that the escalation of the dispute has been "over the top." One neighbor commented on the difficulties of returning a ball over a fence without knowing who might be hit, particularly a child. Police are also reportedly investigating claims of malicious damage related to the incident.