Memphis Grizzlies’ star point guard, Ja Morant, addressed the media on Friday for the first time since the commencement of the 2023-24 season.

Morant is in the latter part of a 25-game suspension imposed in June by NBA commissioner Adam Silver after a social media post on May 13 showed Morant brandishing a pistol. This incident followed a prior suspension of eight games when Morant posted a similar image on Instagram at a Colorado nightclub.

Morant revealed that he recently had a constructive conversation with Commissioner Silver about moving forward. During his time away, he focused on becoming a better leader both on and off the court.

Acknowledging his mistakes, Morant expressed regret and emphasized his commitment to proving himself through actions rather than words. He admitted to both public and private mistakes, expressing gratitude for the support he received during his absence.

Morant expressed excitement about returning to play and acknowledged the challenge of rebuilding trust. Despite the losses incurred by the Grizzlies during his suspension, he remained optimistic about the team’s future, studying his teammates’ performances and foreseeing positive strides.

While dealing with a civil court hearing related to an alleged altercation during a pickup basketball game in 2022, Morant emphasized his intention to remain true to himself while working on better decision-making for the benefit of his team and family.