Perhaps it was apropos that the first interview rising NBA superstar Ja Morant granted was to former “Michigan Fab Five” member Jalen Rose. Especially since Rose admits that he lived through — and survived — the type of youthful exuberance, impetuousness and waywardness that Morant is exemplifying now.
Talked to Ja Morant about poor decisions he has made and what he has learned. pic.twitter.com/qp2G3Ts9YH
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) March 15, 2023
As an internationally-famous collegiate star, Rose admits that as a teenager he was part of a drug raid, that he survived an “assassination” attempt and that he carried guns when he shouldn’t have.
Therefore, Rose, who is now 48 and is an ESPN analyst, can empathize with the type of growing pains and angst that led to the same bad decisions that has Morant suspended for eight games without pay. Morant was temporarily banished from the NBA after brandishing a firearm in a strip club in Denver, the latest in a string of disturbing and violent behavior exhibited by the spectacular point guard.
In video clips released to the media, Morant admitted to rose that it was a “terrible mistake” to post himself shirtless with a handgun on Instagram.
“I don’t condone any type of violence, but I take full responsibility for my actions,” Morant said. “I made a bad mistake. I can see the image that I painted [of] myself with my recent mistakes, but in the future, I’m going to show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about and change this narrative.”
Ja Morant sat down with @JalenRose in an exclusive interview about the incident that led to his suspension and his path forward. pic.twitter.com/t1WwL5dvrQ
— ESPN (@espn) March 15, 2023
Morant also told Rose that he is grateful for his platform and that he values being a role model, something he admits he has not illustrated in an exemplary manner recently.
Jalen Rose: "Do you take pride in being a role model?"
Ja Morant: "I do. I realize I have a lot of kids who look up to me. Even probably some adults. I realize my past mistakes isn't being a good role model."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 15, 2023
According to ESPN and other outlets, Morant is eligible to return from his 16-day hiatus and play for the Memphis Grizzlies on March 20 when the team battles the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum.
Below, Rose elaborates on why he said he completely understands what Morant is going through, though he doesn’t condone Morant’s recent behavior.
I can relate and therefore sympathize with Ja Morant. pic.twitter.com/fVelGtkogx
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) March 5, 2023
