GREENBURG, N.Y. -- Andrew Wiggins has been denied a vaccine exemption by the NBA. This means that Wiggins, a Golden State Warriors swingman, is not eligible to play at home until he meets San Francisco’s vaccination requirements.
Friday's ruling came after the New York Knicks announced that all of their roster had been vaccinated. All their players are now eligible to play in home games.
The Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Knicks must be vaccinated in order to play in their home arenas due to local coronavirus regulations.
Wiggins requested an exemption from the league because of religious reasons.
The league released a statement saying that Andrew Wiggins' request to have his religious exemption from San Francisco Department of Public Health’s order mandating COVID-19 vaccination for all participants aged 12 and over at large indoor events was denied by the NBA. "Wiggins won't be allowed to play in Warriors home games until the city has met his vaccination requirements."
The NBA allows unvaccinated players to participate in this season's games, but they must be tested on daily practice and travel days as well as at least once on game days. Daily testing will not apply to fully vaccinated athletes.
The Warriors, Nets, and Knicks have to follow stricter rules due to local regulations. The NBA has informed teams that these rules do not apply when visiting clubs.
Sean Marks, the Nets general manager, stated earlier this week that only a few players would still be eligible but he was confident that everyone would be able participate by the start of the regular season on October 19.
Wiggins still has plenty of time as San Francisco's mandate won't go into effect until the middle next month. Tuesday is the opening of training camps
The NBA has reached agreements with almost all parties involved in games this offseason -- coaches, referees, stat-crew staff workers, and anyone else who will be near players in NBA arenas -- to get vaccinated.
One exception: The players, with the National Basketball Players Association refusing to allow the NBA to require that they are vaccinated. At the end of the last season, approximately 85% of players had been vaccinated. It is believed that the leaguewide number has increased over the past season.
This story used information from The Associated Press.
