Basketball star Ja Morant has reportedly checked into a counseling program out in Florida amid his gun-flashing controversy that landed him a suspension from the NBA. As previously reported, the Memphis Grizzlies player found himself in hot water after hopping on his Instagram Live just over a week ago where he brandished a pistol while rapping along to a song at the Shotgun Willie’s strip club in Denver, Colorado. Days later, the New York Post obtained photos of Morant receiving a lap dance from a stripper, with the club owner telling the publication that the athlete dropped around $50k during his two-night bender.
Now, ESPN claims that Morant recently started his program after the NBA decided to suspend him from the team following the controversy that came with his IG Live. His head coach Taylor Jenkins spoke about Morant and his future with the Grizzlies during Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, saying, “There are a lot of internal dialogues going on and obviously there are still things going on at the league level that we’re in communication with.”
How did Ja Morant change in a matter of a couple of months pic.twitter.com/x3RsCkaOUm
— ً (@ThisWasVarennn) March 5, 2023
“Ja’s fully engaged in this process and ready for whatever comes next.” While the 23-year-old was initially suspended for two games, it was later confirmed that he would be away from playing basketball for “at least the next four games.” Of course, Morant has since apologized for his actions and is committed to doing whatever it takes so that he can return to his team in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Glendale Police Department said last week that they were not going to charge Morant for the gun-flashing incident at the Denver-based club and had subsequently decided to clear him in the case because “there was not enough available evidence to charge anyone with a crime.”
They further confirmed that the viral IG Live clip, which was later reposted all over social media, was filmed shortly after the Grizzlies had played against the Nuggets.
“In this case, it should be noted that on the night in question, the GPD did not receive any calls for service at the nightclub regarding a weapon of any type,” police said in a statement. “Subsequently, no disturbances were reported, and no citizens or patrons of the club came forward to make a complaint.”
”The investigation also concluded that no one was threatened or menaced with the firearm,” they added, “and in fact, no firearm was ever located.”
Ja Morant has always been a character on IG Live😂 pic.twitter.com/bzd8Vd1xu5
— CamFL (@CamCWFL) March 4, 2023
While Powerade — the sports company owned by Coca-Cola — has pulled their ad campaign featuring Morant in light of his recent controversy, his other sponsor, Nike, said they were sticking by the athlete and had no plans of terminating its working relationship with him over the incident.
“We appreciate Ja’s accountability and that he is taking the time to get the help he needs. We support the prioritization of his well-being,” the company said, per The Athletic.