More recently, the Memphis Grizzlies player reportedly entered a counseling program in Florida after he displayed a gun while going on Instagram Live at a Colorado nightclub.
- Mar 15, 2023
AceShowbiz - Paul George made sure to let Ja Morant know that he still has his back. The Los Angeles Clippers player gave the Memphis Grizzlies star a strong message amid reports that the latter is likely out for the season after his gun scandal.
In the latest episode of his "Podcast P" show, the 32-year-old basketballer gave Morant some words of encouragement and advice to help him as he tries to move on from the fiasco. "One thing I don't want him to be is not himself. We got to respect who he is as a person, so I don't want him to now shape to be someone that he's not just because the microscope is on him," he said.
"He's gonna have to cut ties with some people. I think as a young kid that's maturing, growing up and becoming a man, you'll realize some people are good for you and some people aren't. And that's a part of life," George continued.
George went on noting, "No love lost. It's part of maturation as a man, like you wanna grow." He further elaborated, "The plan is to always grow, and so I think he's going through that phase and understanding that like, 'I can't have the influence that I have around because I'm someone that's putting the influence on the next generation.' But it's love here kid. We stand behind you, on your future."
George's message arrived after it's reported that Morant won't play the rest of the season. While speaking on The Hoop Collective, Marc J Spears gave a critical update on Morant. "There's things I'm hearing that I'd rather probably not say on this podcast… My guess now is that he doesn't play the rest of the season," Spears explained.
More recently, Morant reportedly entered a counseling program in Florida. ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted on Monday that the athlete has checked into a counseling facility while there is still no timetable on his return with his team. "Reporting with @ESPN_MacMahon: Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has entered a counseling program in Florida and there remains no timetable for his return to active play," the sports journalist wrote.
Meanwhile, sources told Media Take Out that the 23-year-old turned to his Christian faith following the gun incident. Insiders claimed that he's in church on Sunday and walked humbly to the front of the small church to re-commit himself to Jesus Christ.
Earlier this month, Morant was seen in an Instagram Live video displaying a gun at a Colorado nightclub. After the NBA launched an investigation, the Glendale (Co.) Police announced that "there was not enough available evidence to charge anyone with a crime."
Morant was also suspended by his team. He was initially suspended for two games, but the team announced on March 8 that he "will continue to remain away from the team for at least the next four games."
Morant himself has addressed the incident. In a statement, he said that he would "take full responsibility for [his] actions." The basketball star continued, "I'm sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down. I'm going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being."
