LaMelo Ball: Charlotte Hornets star fined $100,000 for ‘offensive and derogatory’ phrase

CNN
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $100,000 for utilizing what the NBA known as “an offensive and derogatory remark” following his workforce’s 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

Interviewed on the Hornets’ native FanDuel Sports activities Community, the 2022 All-Star was requested about how the workforce defended Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks’ final possession of the sport.

“Yeah, we loaded up – no homo,” Ball replied. “However that’s what we needed. Put the hand up, after which simply stay with the outcomes.”

Following the Hornets’ 128-114 loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday evening, the 23-year-old spoke on the incident.

“Earlier than we get began, I simply need to deal with the remark yesterday,” he informed reporters, per AP. “I actually didn’t imply something (by it) and don’t need to offend anyone. I’ve acquired love for everyone, and I don’t discriminate.”

Hornets head coach Charles Lee informed reporters that he had mentioned the remark with Ball.

“As a company, that’s clearly not one thing we condone,” stated Lee, per AP. “Our requirements and what’s required of our gamers within the atmosphere we create is basically necessary to us.

“I spoke to Melo and he’s clearly very apologetic. From what I’ve seen since I’ve been round him, he loves everybody. He’s a pleasure to have across the facility and it’s not sometimes how he operates. He and I talked concerning the seriousness of the state of affairs and the way he must conduct himself going ahead.

“He and I talked about it and he positively stated going ahead, ‘I’m going to be higher,’ and I need to see that occur,” Lee continued. “So for someone to make use of these phrases and say that out of his mouth, we’ll make certain to carry him accountable to that.”

Ball, who’s averaging 29.7 factors, 6.7 assists and 5 rebounds this season, is the newest NBA star to be fined for utilizing derogatory language. In 2022, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 for utilizing homophobic language in a put up on his Instagram story.

A yr earlier than, Kevin Durant – then with the Brooklyn Nets – was fined $50,000 for utilizing homophobic and misogynistic slurs in personal messages with actor Michael Rapaport.