‘It’s not who I am’: NBA superstar insists gun in infamous video not his in tell-all interview
Ja Morant stated that he “doesn’t condone any type of violence” throughout an ESPN sit-down Wednesday — simply hours after he was briefly suspended by the NBA for waving a gun round at a strip membership.
“It’s not who I am. I don’t condone any type of violence, but I’ve taken responsibility for my actions,” the embattled Grizzlies star instructed NBA analyst — and Post columnist — Jalen Rose on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown.”
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“I put myself in a bad position,” he stated.
Morant claims the gun he brandished on a March 4 Instagram Live video didn’t belong to him, however admits it was silly to seize the weapon for the world to see.
Morant apologised — his second relating to the incident — to his teammates and household for “putting that negativity toward all of us with a known bad decision.”
“I’m gonna show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about and change this narrative that nobody got painted over me,” he promised.
“I realised I have a lot of kids who looked up to me, even some adults, a lot of fans and I realise my past mistakes is in being a good role model. So, just got to be better in that area, be more responsible, be smarter and make better decisions.”
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The 23-year-old guard instructed Rose he has spent the final 11 days speaking with therapists and making an attempt to study from his mistake.
“I feel mentally good,” Morant stated. “I was constantly talking to therapists. I’ve been doing Reiki treatment. I’m doing anxiety breathing different stuff to help me manage that and release all that stuff from my body.”
Rose was mild with Morant, and stated he empathised together with his actions — and even admitted to visiting the identical strip membership throughout his time as an NBA participant.
On Saturday Rose stated Morant was seemingly caught up with the spoils of fame, however reminded the four-season participant he’s not solely risking the remainder of his profession, however his life.
“He has way too much to lose,” Rose stated on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown.”
“Trust me, I’ve been that young player carrying a gun … When you start waving it, that can get you killed. That’s an entirely different thing than we’re talking about a superstar athlete should be putting themselves in position.”
Morant has been away from his workforce since March 4, the identical day he posted a 5:19am video of himself waving a handgun at a Denver-area strip membership.
The viral video confirmed the shirtless 23-year-old participant rapping alongside to the music with a firearm in his left hand.
Morant had spent the higher a part of his weekend — and $50,000 in ideas — at Shotgun Willie’s.
Images obtained by The Post present the basketball star fortunately receiving a lap-dance from a G-string-clad brunette contained in the physique store’s VIP room — the place virtually each inch was coated in money.
A membership insider stated Morant blew into the membership simply hours after the Grizzlies mauled the Rockets 113-99 in Houston on March 2.
He returned two days later brandishing the gun, which “absolutely terrified” Shotgun ladies within the again room.
Morant’s video earned him a brief NBA suspension and an investigation by Glendale police, who in the end decided that there was not sufficient proof to cost him with against the law.
Morant rapidly issued a public apology for whipping out the firearm.
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night. I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organisation for letting you down,” he stated in a March 5 assertion.
The 23-year-old guard has a historical past of brandishing firearms.
Morant is embroiled in a lawsuit for allegedly beating a 17-year-old over a dozen instances throughout a pick-up recreation over the summer time earlier than exhibiting his sufferer a gun in his waistband.
In February, the NBA investigated allegations by the Indiana Pacers that Morant’s crew “aggressively confronted” members of the workforce’s travelling celebration and aimed a crimson laser at them, which they believed may have been connected to a gun.
Morant can return to the courtroom Monday — his eight-day suspension covers the 5 video games he has already missed.
This story initially appeared on the New York Post and has been reposted with permission
