By: Ryan Guo

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies’ biggest star, has been suspended for 25 games after waving a gun in an Instagram Live video. This was the second time Morant has been suspended, the first time happening after he live-streamed a video on Instagram while laughing and brandishing a gun in a nightclub.

Morant, 23, is one of the best point guards in the NBA, was the rookie of the year in 2020, and is a two time all star. However, since Morant is already having a lot of influence, and since he lives in city with issues on gun control, Morant has taken advantage of his influence to expose people to harmful behavior. Many young basketball fans enjoy watching Morant play.

“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said in the statement. “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 my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.” Morant also said that he would spend his offseason working on his mental health and decision-making.

The N.B.A. investigated the second video since the middle of May but had delayed releasing the findings until after the N.B.A. finals, as the N.B.A. finals are a great way to advertise the N.B.A. Commissioner Adam Silver said it would be “unfair” to the Nuggets and the Heat to announce the Morant results while they were still competing.

On the contrary, the National Basketball Player Association is unhappy with the length of Morant’s suspension. NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tamaglio “We believe it’s excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons…

Morant’s team, the Grizzlies, supported the suspension, saying that “Our standards as a league and team are clear, and we expect that all team personnel will adhere to them.”

Sources: Ja Morant Suspended 25 Games for Second Gun Video – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

NBA players union calls Ja Morant suspension ‘excessive and inappropriate’ (nypost.com)