Former Chicago Bulls participant Corey Benjamin has recognized his daughter because the 14-year-old basketball participant who was filmed sucker-punching her 15-year-old rival throughout a faculty event and apologized on her behalf for the assault.
‘This isn’t how I raised my daughter,’ stated Benjamin, who performed three seasons with the Bulls and had a quick stint with the Atlanta Hawks in 2003 earlier than ending his profession abroad.
Benjamin’s daughter has not been recognized by title as a result of she is a minor.
Within the video that shortly went viral on Sunday, Benjamin’s teenage daughter is seen sucker punching her opponent after faking a foul throughout a event recreation in Southern California.
Lauryn Ham, the sufferer who has been recognized publicly by her circle of relatives, was blindsided by the punch and, in line with her mom, suffered a concussion. The household has filed a police report and is accusing the 14-year-old of assault.
Corey Benjamin performed three seasons with the Bulls, however completed his profession abroad
Lauryn Ham, the sufferer who has been recognized publicly by her circle of relatives, was blindsided by the punch and, in line with her mom, suffered a concussion. The household has filed a police report and is accusing the 14-year-old of assault
In accordance with Alice Ham (proper), her 15-year-old daughter Lauryn (left) suffered a concussion
The sport referee advised NBCLA the 14-year-old’s mom advised her daughter to ‘go hit’ Lauryn.
Now, Benjamin has apologized to the Ham household, not just for his daughter’s actions, however for her mom’s as properly.
‘To the younger woman who was punched by my daughter throughout a youth basketball recreation, I sincerely apologize to you and I’m praying on your full therapeutic each bodily and emotionally,’ he stated.
‘To her household, I deeply apologize and remorse that this occurred to your daughter as she didn’t deserve this to occur to her. Lastly, I apologize to all of those that have been impacted and damage by the actions of my daughter in addition to these of her mom. I’m right here for your loved ones and need solely one of the best for you.
‘As a father, I am shocked and disenchanted at my daughter’s conduct as this isn’t a mirrored image of the values and requirements that my household holds,’ he continued. ‘Nor does it exemplify the values, character and spirit of sportsmanship that the sport of basketball requires.
‘My daughter made a mistake. One which she might want to make proper. I’m dedicated to getting my daughter any assist she may have and help her in taking accountability for her conduct.’
In a video that shortly went viral, Benjamin’s 14-year-old daughter is seen sucker punching a 15-year-old opponent throughout a event recreation in Southern California on Sunday, resulting in her rapid ejection
The incident was allegedly not her first.
In accordance with Kevin Hahn, an lawyer representing the sufferer’s household, the 14-year-old was beforehand caught swinging at two opponents throughout a event recreation in September.
‘My understanding is that group that held the event banned her and suspended her from every other tournaments of their group,’ Hahn stated, as quoted by NBCLA.
Hahn stated it is doable that organizers for final weekend’s event have been unaware of the 14-year-old’s suspension. He additionally stated that the Ham household is looking for expenses towards each the daughter and the mom.
Benjamin was at Sunday’s recreation between Dream Academy, his daughter’s crew, and the SoCal Blaze.
Video reveals Benjamin’s daughter launching a three-pointer from the wing, which rimmed out as Ham appeared to the touch the 14-year-old shooter.
Corey Benjamin #25 of the North Charleston Lowgators dunks towards the Cellular Revelers throughout a G-League recreation on the North Charleston Coliseum on January 1, 2003
Each gamers fell down, and as they acquired again to their toes, a voice yelled: ‘You higher hit her for it.’
Instantly the 14-year-old shooter wound up and slugged Ham along with her left arm, dropping the 15-year-old to the court docket.
‘Oh my goodness,’ one other girl stated after the punch.
‘After all I used to be in complete shock,’ Alice Ham, Lauryn’s mom, advised ABC7 New York. ‘Simply could not imagine that might occur to my youngster.’
‘You all the time see issues on video and also you by no means assume it may occur to you. To truly see it and know that was my child simply damage me so unhealthy.’
Alice was watching one other youngster play at one other court docket at that actual second, however was advised by different dad and mom that it was the 14-year-old’s mom who advised the woman to hit Lauryn.
‘I can hear fairly clearly the mother [in the video],’ Alice Ham stated. ‘I do know it is the mother as a result of the witnesses on the web site advised me. It is fairly clear that she tells her daughter you need to hit her for that. What ‘that’ is, I do not know. I do not know what the mother thinks she noticed.’
Lawyer Brett Greenfield, who spoke to ABC 7 on behalf of the household of the 14-year-old, launched a press release concerning the assault.
‘My shopper and her household are deeply and sincerely remorseful,’ the assertion learn. ‘This can be a unlucky incident involving a really arduous working and promising scholar athlete. We should maintain some perspective and understand that this can be a younger minor who has made a mistake.’
‘The feedback on social media in response to this incident are a reason for nice concern for each the minor and her household. We might respectfully request that she be given the advantage of the doubt and that her privateness be revered given her younger age.’