The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies star player Ja Morant (23) for 25 games before the start of the new season for conduct that is harmful to youth and to the image of the league, the American basketball league announced tonight.
Yes Morant played in the first round of the NBA playoffs last month, losing 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Memphis Grizzlies suspended Morant from all team activities shortly afterward after a video circulated on social media showing the All-Star wielding a firearm. The NBA already suspended Morant for eight games after a similar incident in March when he was seen on Instagram Live with a gun while drunk at a Denver club.
Last month, another such video surfaced. Now Morant was in the passenger seat next to a friend who was filming. Seeing Morant brandishing his gun again, he quickly turned his camera away. Because it happened again live on the internet, the damage was already done and now Morant is seriously screwed, although last month there were even fears for his future in the NBA and a switch to China was discussed.
“Ja Morant’s decision to once again display a firearm on social media is alarming and disturbing given his similar behavior in March, for which he was already banned for eight games,” NBA president Adam Silver said in a statement. “The danger of other young people imitating his behavior is particularly worrying. Under these circumstances, we believe a 25-game suspension is appropriate. It makes it clear that reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.”
“Before Ja goes back to playing basketball, he will have to work on himself first,” Silver said in the statement. “Before returning to play, he will need to formulate and implement a program with the league that addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”
Morant is ineligible to participate in public league or team activities, including preseason games, during suspension. “I’ve had time to think and I realize how much pain I’ve caused,” Morant said in a statement. “I want to apologize to the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies, my teammates, the fans and the city of Memphis. I’m sorry for what I’ve done, especially to the kids who look up to me. I’m sorry I let you down as a role model. I promise to become a better person. To all my fans, I will make it up to you, I promise.”
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