Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been accused of punching a teenager and threatening a mall security guard in separate incidents last July, according to reports.
The 23-year-old point guard was allegedly involved in an altercation with the head of security at the Wolfchase Galleria mall in Memphis last summer, according to a police report obtained by the Washington Post.
The superstar’s mother had reportedly gotten into a dispute with an employee at Finish Line shoe store and called Morant, who arrived shortly afterward with a group of around nine associates.
When they were confronted by the head of mall security, a member of the NBA star’s entourage allegedly pushed the guard in the head.
Morant allegedly muttered “let me find out what time he gets off” as he was leaving, according to the police report. The security guard was alarmed him enough to file a complaint with Memphis police over the incident.
Then four days later on 26 July, Morant was also accused of repeatedly punching a 17-year-old in the face at his Memphis mansion.
The teenager, who told police he had considered Morant a mentor, had been invited to a play during a game of pickup basketball.
After the teen had reportedly thrown the basketball at Morant, catching him on the chin, the basketball superstar punched him nearly a dozen times, leaving with a “large knot” on the side of his head after the violent encounter, according to the police report.
Morant then went into his house and returned appearing to have a firearm tucked in his pants, the teenager told authorities. He later told police during an interview that he had acted in self-defense.
He said that the boy had threatened to “come back and light this place up like fireworks”, and later filed a police complaint alleging the boy had threatened his family.
In a statement posted to social media and shared with The Independent, Morant’s agent Jim Tanner described the incidents as “unsubstantiated rumours and gossip” put out by people “trying to tear Ja down”.
He said that dozens of witnesses could confirm that Morant did not have a weapon and said that the allegations had been investigated and disproven.
“Jo is a family-first man who loves giving back to his community.”
The Shelby County District Attorney’s office declined to press charges over either incident, citing a lack of evidence, according to The Post.
The District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent.
Morant, one of the best players in the NBA, has led the Grizzlies to second place in the league’s western conference this season.
The Grizzlies were narrowly knocked out of the play-offs by eventual champions the Golden State Warriors in the 21-22 season.
