Sources: Ja enters a counseling program in Florida

Memphis Grizzlies guard ha morant entered a counseling program in Florida and remains without a return schedule for the NBA season, sources told ESPN on Monday.

Morant has been seeking help for what he described in a statement as a need to “get help and work to learn better ways to deal with stress and my overall well-being,” and that got him out of Memphis on a leave of absence from the team, the companies said. sources.

The franchise announced that the 23-year-old Morant would be out until at least Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat, but there is no precise timetable for his return to the team. The Grizzlies continue to prioritize Morant’s desire and need for help after a series of troubling incidents that culminated in him brandishing a gun at a suburban Denver nightclub on his March 4 Instagram live stream.

The NBA has an ongoing investigation into the matter, and Memphis officials have repeatedly indicated publicly that Morant will be held accountable for a pattern of questionable decision-making and behavior.

A two-time All-Star, Morant is a former NBA Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player for one of the league’s rising franchises. Before the Grizzlies’ game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters that “Ja is fully committed to this process and ready for whatever comes after the next two games.” .

Morant began his Instagram Live session at 5:19 a.m. ET, hours after the Grizzlies’ 113-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets last Saturday. Morant could be seen holding a pistol in his left hand. Morant deactivated his Instagram and Twitter accounts later that day.

In a statement, Morant said he takes “full responsibility for my actions last night.”

“I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire organization for letting them down,” the statement read. “I’m going to take some time to get help and work on learning better ways to deal with stress and my overall well-being.”

Nike, which has an exclusive footwear line featuring Morant, endorsed the Grizzlies star in a statement shortly afterward.

“We appreciate Ja’s responsibility and that she is taking the time to get the help she needs,” the statement read. “We support your prioritization of his well-being.”

Morant’s five-year, $231 million extension with Memphis begins with the 2023-24 season.