Faded star. Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been suspended by his club until further notice. The reason ? The broadcast on social networks of a video showing him holding a gun. This is not a first, two months ago he was sanctioned by the NBA for brandishing a firearm.
“We are aware of the video, circulating on social media, involving Ja Morant. He is suspended from all team activity pending review of the situation by the North American League (NBA), the Memphis franchise said. This new video, which was circulating on Instagram Live, has since been deleted. It shows Morant in the front passenger seat of a car and holding what looks very much like a gun in his left hand, with no indication of when it happened.
Morant pledged to be “more responsible, smarter”
It is reminiscent of the one from just over two months ago, albeit under slightly different circumstances, in which an inebriated Morant brandished a gun at a nightclub in Glendale near Denver ( Colorado) after a game lost by his team against the Nuggets. If the local police, after investigation, had not charged him, failing to have been able to find the pistol and after having established that no one had been threatened, the talented 23-year-old fullback had been suspended for eight games “for conduct detrimental,” per the NBA.
In the process, the star had joined a psychological support program in Florida for a few days. Then had pledged to be “more responsible, smarter and stay away from all bad decisions”, in an interview with ESPN after the announcement of his suspension.
Other cases taint Morant’s career. He was notably accused of having given “12 to 13 punches” to a 17-year-old youth at his home in July 2022. His agent claimed at the time that he had acted in self-defense.