Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant keeps attracting trouble.
Last summer, the 23-year-old allegedly threatened the head of security at a Memphis mall. A member of Morant’s group shoved him in the head, per previously unreported police records obtained by The Washington Post.
Four days after that, Morant allegedly punched a 17-year-old boy in the head multiple times during a pickup basketball game at the NBA player’s house. After the boy was knocked to the ground, Morant went into his house and returned with a gun in his pants waistband and his hand on the weapon.
Per police interviews, Morant claims he acted in self-defense after the boy threw a basketball at his head. Prosecutors declined to press charges — but the boy and his mother filed a lawsuit (currently sealed) against Morant, as first reported by TMZ in January.
It’s the second controversy in the span of about a month for the rising NBA star.
Following the Grizzlies’ Jan. 29 game against the Indiana Pacers, Morant’s acquaintances confronted members of the Pacers’ traveling party, later shining a red laser from an SUV — which Morant was riding in — on them.
Despite all of this, Morant has been racking up lucrative partnerships.
Earlier Wednesday, the Murray State product was announced as the spokesperson for Powerade’s first athlete partnership in over five years.
Morant also secured a coveted Nike sponsorship near the end of 2022, unveiling his personalized logo and first signature shoe, the Ja 1, which is set to hit shelves in April.
