Ja Morant’s Nike shoes are BANNED in my house, says ESPN’s Michael Wilbon after his second gun incident in two months: ‘I thought we were past this whole fake gangster theme’
- Yes Morant was spotted again this weekend brandishing a gun on social media
- He has been suspended by his Memphis Grizzlies team during an NBA investigation
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The outcry over Ja Morant’s second gun-wielding incident in as many months has taken a different turn with ESPN analyst Michael Wilbon saying his son shouldn’t own the NBA star’s Nike shoes.
Morant, 23, appeared in an Instagram video with a friend this weekend brandishing a gun in his hand, two months after filming himself doing the same thing at a strip club in Denver.
Morant was suspended for eight games after that incident and took a counseling course, later admitting that his behavior had been a distraction to his Memphis Grizzlies team in the NBA.
Now he faces a longer NBA ban and increased scrutiny of commercial deals with the likes of Nike.
“This is up to Yes, this is up to him,” Wilbon said. “He’s not a normal 23-year-old. There are people who can be near him and who should help him get out of this.
Michael Wilbon says he doesn’t want his family to spend money on Ja Morant’s Nike shoes
Morant appeared on an Instagram Live video on Saturday – where he was seen wielding a gun
Morant (L) was in the driver’s seat of a car where he held up a gun for the camera
“Is he going to do the work required of himself to get out of this and not let this be the end? What’s going to happen next – is Nike going to pull that shoe? Is Powerade going to pull that potion?
“I know in my house,” I said to Matthew [my son] you can’t have the shoe. I’m not buying that shoe.
“You’re not buying that shoe. That’s not where our money goes as a family. I’m not the only one who will feel this way.
Wilbon still praised Morant’s talent while urging him to take more responsibility off the basketball court.
“And by the way, I’m fascinated by Ja Morant. He’s so smart, talk about intelligence – you listen to Ja Morant after the game and the engagement level and intellect are undeniable.
“But still this whole fake gangster theme that I thought we were over as a culture a few years ago, I don’t think it’s over. It is pathetic.’
The Grizzlies have suspended star Morant “from all team activities” after he brandished a gun on Instagram for the second time in two months.
In March, Morant appeared to be holding up a gun in an Instagram Live video at a Denver club
Morant was seen on Instagram Live in the driver’s seat of a car with a gun as he sang along to rapper YoungBoy NBA’s song “1.5.”
After revealing the firearm, the person recording the video immediately turned the camera away from Morant for the rest of the clip that has surfaced.
It is unclear whether this incident will lead to criminal charges or an investigation into Morant’s conduct.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, the NBA said, “We are aware of the social media post involving Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information.”