Former NBAer Erick Barkley attacks third-grader's father after loss (VIDEO)

Former NBA player Erick Barkley replaced the post-game handshake with some fists on a third grader's father when he allegedly went berserk after his 9-year-old son’s AAU basketball team lost a close playoff game by one point.

The altercation stemmed from Barkley believing a player on the opposing team was ineligible, according to the New York Post.

Barkley was coaching his son’s team from the Basketball Stars of New York against a squad based at House of Sports in Ardsley, N.Y.

“Before the game, Barkley got into a beef with the father of a kid on the other team. Barkley said the kid couldn’t play because he was on more than one team,” said a parent. “After a half-hour of arguing, the kid was allowed to play.”

But as soon as the game was over, a tough one-point loss for Barkley’s squad, he allegedly walked over to the father and punched him several times.

Police were called, they cuffed Barkley, intending to arrest him, but the victim declined to press charges even though the assault was captured on someone’s cellphone.

“He’s not a bad guy,” said another parent. “He just likes to beat people up.”

Barkley, a star point guard out of St. John’s, was a first-round pick by Portland in 2000. He was waived after being traded to the Bulls in 2002, before bouncing around Europe and the D-League.