NBA star Ja Morant is in trouble because of HIS DECISIONS — not his friends’ — Grizzlies guard dad Tee tells basketball camp as his son prepares for a 25-game suspension for flashing gun
- Tee Morant, 45, spoke to the Up Next Elite Camp in New Orleans
- The elder Morant blamed Ja’s suspension on his own decisions and not others.
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Yes Morant’s 25-game suspension from the NBA is his own fault — not his friends’ — the Memphis Grizzlies star’s father told younger players at a recent basketball camp.
Tee Morant, Ja’s 45-year-old father, spoke at the Up Next Elite Camp in New Orleans, where he offered advice on adulthood by telling campers to “watch every decision you make.”
“My son didn’t get into trouble because of the people around him,” Tee Morant said in a clip that has since gone viral. “He got into trouble because of his decisions.”
Morant was suspended for the first time in March for eight games after he was seen brandishing a firearm at a strip club. Later, the All-Star point guard was seen in a social media video waving a gun at the camera, which has resulted in his upcoming 25-game suspension to begin the 2023-2024 season.
“The smallest thing you can do can make the biggest difference in your life,” added Tee. “When I talk about life and living, I get a little emotional… but I’m just telling you to make the right decisions.”
The once promising career of 24-year-old Morant has been brought to a halt by the gun incidents, both of which took place on camera.
Tee Morant (left) is a fixture at Grizzlies games both in and out of Memphis
He is also being sued by a college basketball player, who says the younger Morant hit him during a pickup game in 2022.
Last month, lawyers representing Morant received preliminary clearance from a Tennessee judge to claim their client acted in self-defense when he punched 17-year-old aspiring hooper Joshua Holloway.
The future of Holloway’s lawsuit hinges largely on whether Morant will be allowed to say he acted in self-defense.
Morant’s lawyers have acknowledged that he punched Holloway once after Holloway threw a basketball at Morant and the ball hit Morant in the chin. In a July 26 motion, the player’s lawyers said he should be immune from liability under the state’s “stand your ground” law, which allows people who feel threatened at home to act violently in certain situations .
Morant’s second gun incident (pictured) resulted in a 25-game suspension for the All-Star
Circuit Court Judge Carol Chumney said the next step would be to hear from attorneys in the case, including those representing the Tennessee attorney general, about whether the law can be applied to the case under the state constitution.
Holloway was 17 when the lawsuit was filed. It charges Morant and friend Davonte Pack with assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect and inflicting emotional distress. An amended complaint identified the plaintiff as Holloway, who is now 18.
Morant filed a countersuit accusing Holloway of defamation, battery and assault.
No criminal charges have been filed against Morant.