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Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant apologized on Tuesday after receiving days of payback for a television video he appeared on. showing him a gun in public for the second time in just two months.
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” Morant said in a statement. “This is a journey and I have realized that there is more work to be done. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full responsibility for my actions. I am committed to continue working alone.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in an interview with ESPN on Tuesday that he was “shocked” by the video, which a friend of Morant’s allegedly posted on Instagram.
Why It Matters: Morant is as popular as an NBA superstar.
Morant, 23, is one of the best young players in the NBA. He has already made two All-Star teams and one All-NBA team just four years into his career. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2020. He is known for his aerial dunks and has made the Grizzlies a strong contender in the Western Conference as the No. 1 seed. 2 in back-to-back seasons.
He is also part of a a new generation of NBA stars The league hopes that it will help change the game from older people like LeBron James, 38, and Stephen Curry, 35. He has a new signature sneaker with Nike and was announced as the new face of Powerade in March.
Background: Suspended in March for gun video.
Morant came under fire in March after a video on his Instagram account showed him brandishing a gun in a Colorado nightclub. The The NBA suspended him in eight games. Morant as well he apologized that is, taking “full responsibility” for his actions. Morant vowed to “use positive methods of coping with depression” and went to a counseling center in Florida.
Silver, the NBA commissioner, called Morant’s actions “irresponsible, reckless and extremely dangerous.”
The video was posted as other controversies surrounding Morant spread.
In the lawsuit, Josh Holloway, then 17, accused Morant of punching him during a basketball game last summer. Morant told police it was self-defense. A mall worker also accused Morant of assaulting her after Morant’s mother got into an argument with her in a shoe store. Another person accused Morant of making threats when Morant came to his sister’s high school volleyball game because of an argument. Morant has not been charged in any of these incidents.
The footage of the new movie went viral on Sunday. The Grizzlies quickly suspended Morant from all team activities, even though the team was eliminated from the playoffs last month.
Next: The NBA decides to punish Morant again.
Silver told ESPN on Tuesday that the league is looking into a new video.
“These movies have been fraudulent and everything,” Silver said. “But I think the worst.”
As part of the NBA’s contract agreement in the agreement between the players and the owners of the team, the players agree “not to do anything that is physically or materially harmful to the good interests” of the team or the league. In Morant’s initial suspension, the NBA said his conduct had caused a disruption to the league.