The price for posting a video of him taking out a gun on social media was high.
The NBA announced on the 17th (Korean time), “Memphis 메이저사이트Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games for conduct that harms the league.” Morant’s discipline begins right away. He won’t play in his first 25 games of the 2023-2024 season. He is also banned from team activity during his suspension, including pre-season.
Morant was suspended for eight games in March for posting a video of himself taking out a gun at a club in Denver on social media. However, in May of last year, he received a severe punishment for once again revealing a scene holding a gun through social media live.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “I am concerned that other youngsters may copy Morant’s behavior. I think a 25-game suspension is appropriate. Irresponsible behavior with a gun will never be tolerated.”
Morant said, “I took time to reflect and realize how much damage I’ve caused. I apologize to the NBA, the Memphis club, my teammates, and the city of Memphis. I will train to be ready to play when I can get back on the court. I hope you give me a chance to prove that I am a better person.”
However, the National Basketball Players Association protested in a statement that “the punishment is excessive.”
Morant is one of the NBA’s rising stars. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2020 and was voted an All-Star twice in the 4 seasons since his debut. In the 2022-2023 season, he averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists. Memphis also took the second seed in the Western Conference with Morant at the fore.
According to the NBA, Morant lost 7.5 million dollars (approximately 9.6 billion won) along with a 25-game suspension. Morant’s annual salary is 33.5 million dollars (approximately 42.9 billion won). NBA players receive 1/110 of their annual salary per game according to the league’s collective agreement.