Grizzlies’ Ja Morant files countersuit against a 17-year old, claims All-NBA status and $39.2 million are at stake
Ja Morant files countersuit against high school basketball player involved in pickup game incident
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Ja Morant (Image via Getty/Justin Ford)
Ja Morant, the point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, has had a challenging 2022-23 NBA season. He has faced various controversies on and off the court. This comes despite impressive performances for a position in the NBA All-Star game and help Grizzlies attain the second seed in the West.
One of these controversies started in January when a 17-year-old high school student sued Morant, alleging that he assaulted him after a pickup basketball game. The situation escalated when Tee Morant, Ja’s father, got involved in an altercation with Shannon Sharpe during a game between the Grizzlies and the Lakers.
Morant’s associates were prohibited from NBA arenas for supposedly brandishing guns at Indiana Pacers security personnel two weeks later. Following threats of legal action against the Washington Post, Morant was suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies and the NBA after being caught with a gun at a Denver strip club. However, Morant’s troubles are far from over. According to a report by Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Morant is now counter-suing Joshua Holloway. This crucial challenge stands in the way right before Grizzlies start their playoff campaign.
Ja Morant’s Counter-Suit Detailed
In Morant’s countersuit, he alleges that it was Holloway who instigated the incident by throwing a basketball at him and subsequently making a threat to use a gun. According to the filing, Morant responded by balling up his fists and approaching Holloway after the ball was thrown at him, which led to him striking Holloway once. It should be noted that Holloway was 17 years old at the time.
“Getting hit in the face with a basketball hurts; for a professional point guard like Mr. Morant, an injury to the eyes or nose could be career ending,” the filing read.
In Morant’s countersuit, his lawyers claim that he received a threatening message on Snapchat. They suggest that the message may have originated from Holloway, based on the username associated with the account from which it was sent.
The countersuit claims that Holloway’s allegations could cost Morant his All-NBA status. Subsequently, it would trigger a “super max” clause in his contract extension worth millions of dollars. To be precise, $39.2 million! “Before Counter-Defendant lied and before he or someone else leaked his lies to the media, Mr. Morant was a strong prospect for one of six All-NBA guard spots. That selection would be personally significant for Morant because it would trigger a ‘super max’ clause in his contract extension worth millions of dollars,” the filing said.
The Grizzlies are set to kick off their playoff campaign against the Lakers on Sunday, but the legal issues surrounding Ja Morant might cause distractions. It is crucial for the team that Morant can put his off-court troubles aside and concentrate on leading his team toward a victorious performance on the court.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)