Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant Releases Statement Following Suspension From NBA
On Friday morning, the NBA officially announced that Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant will be suspended for 25 games.
The suspension stems from a video that went viral on social media where Morant was allegedly holding a gun.
During the regular season, Morant was suspended eight games by the league for a similar incident.
Via NBA Communications on Friday morning: "The NBA announced today that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been suspended 25 games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league."
Following the announcement of the suspension, Morant released a statement (h/t Bleacher Report).
Morant via his statement: "I've had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I've caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I'm sorry for the harm I've done. To the kids who look up to me, I'm sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I'm going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I'm going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I'm going to make it up to you, I promise.
I'm spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I'm also going to be training so that I'm ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I'm so sorry I won't be out there with you at the beginning of the season.
I hope you'll give me the chance to prove to you over time I'm a better man than what I've been showing you."
Morant finished his fourth season in the NBA with averages of 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field.
The Grizzlies were the second seed in the Western Conference and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
