The gun Ja Morant was holding in the video that got him a 25-game NBA ban was fake, according to new footage that has surfaced.
Memphis Grizzlies star Morant has been scandalized by the video that emerged last month of him waving a pistol in a car, just two months after he had filmed himself holding a weapon in a Denver strip club.
Now, TMZ has published a video Morant apparently sent his family the day after the car video emerged, demonstrating that the gun was actually a lighter as he uses it to light candles.
‘You hold it and everything comes out,’ Morant says in the clip. He is also identifiable by the tattoos on his arm.
The video has emerged a little over 24 hours on from Morant being banned for 25 games.
In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver condemned Morant’s actions saying that they could leave an impression on young people to act in a similar manner.
‘Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,’ Silver said in the statement.
‘The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning.
‘Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.
‘For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time. Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.’
Morant released a statement of his own, saying, ‘I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis.
‘To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera – who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me – I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done.
‘To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands.
