Jeff Van Gundy calls for full-season bans for players who assault women

Jeff Van Gundy thinks the NBA needs to come down harder on players who commit crimes against women.

The former head coach was calling Tuesday's game between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets for ESPN with Mark Jones when they began discussing Derrick Rose's civil sexual assault case.

The 2010-11 MVP played in the preseason contest - his first for the Knicks - before heading to Los Angeles for a trial Wednesday.

"His situation right now looms over the Knicks' season," Van Gundy said, as transcribed by Dime's Sean Highkin. "As much as anyone wants to dismiss it, it's a big factor."

Related: Rose reportedly 'troubled by uncertainty' of sexual assault case

The color commentator mentioned he attended a conference about domestic violence and sexual abuse, where he learned the "epidemic" affects one woman every nine seconds.

Although the NBA is regarded as a leader in the sports world when it comes to handling social issues, Van Gundy contended the league isn't doing nearly enough in this regard.

He cited the case of Sacramento Kings point guard Darren Collison, who was recently suspended eight games for his role in a domestic violence incident.

"My one suggestion going forward is, any felony committed against a woman should be a full-season suspension," the 54-year-old said. "And on the second one, you're gone."

Van Gundy added: "The one thing I learned today, it's not a mistake. It's a choice. It's a choice to commit a violent act. ... I just think we've got to do more ... Let's be on the forefront of this."

In 2014, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would review its domestic violence policy in light of controversy surrounding the leniency of the NFL's penalties.