Did NBA star Ja Morant brandish a gun in social media post ?
Several questions remained unanswered after Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was suspended again as the NBA reviews another video in which he appeared to flash a gun on social media.
Morant, 23, was reportedly seen on an Instagram Live video Saturday waving what appeared to be a firearm as he was riding in a car with a friend. Screen recordings and screenshots of the video were shared across social platforms as spectators noted that the same behavior has previously caused Morant to miss games and paychecks.
The Grizzlies said in a statement Sunday morning that they were aware of the video.
“He is suspended from all team activities pending League review,” the Grizzlies said. “We have no further comment at this time.”
Morant will not miss any games, as the Grizzlies’ season has concluded with their not having made it to the NBA Finals. A representative for Morant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In March, Morant was suspended for eight games after he was seen on Instagram Live holding a gun at a nightclub. The suspension reportedly cost Morant more than $600,000 in salary.
At the time Morant said in a statement through his representation that he took “full responsibility” for his actions and that he was going to “take some time away to get help.” Morant also spoke to Espn in March, apologizing to his team and his family for his “bad decision.”
“The gun wasn’t mine,” Morant said at the time. “It’s not who I am. I don’t condone any violence. But I take full responsibility. … I can see the image that I painted, you know, over myself with my recent mistakes. But in the future I’m gonna show everybody who Ja really is.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Morant’s behavior in March “irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous.”
“It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him,” Silver said.
0 Comments