The teenager involved in a violent incident during a girl’s basketball tournament last week is actually related to a former NBA player.
The girl is the daughter of former-NBA player Corey Benjamin.
Benjamin made the announcement himself, issuing a statement to the Ham family:
“To the young lady who was punched, I sincerely apologize, and I am praying for your complete healing both physically and emotionally. … To her family, I deeply apologize and regret that this has happened to your daughter as she did not deserve this to happen to her. … As a father I’m shocked and disappointed at my daughter’s behavior, as this is not a reflection of the values and standards that my family holds, nor does it exemplify the values, character and spirit of sportsmanship that the game of basketball requires. My daughter made a mistake. One that she will need to make right. … I am committed to getting my daughter any help she may need and support her in taking accountability for her conduct.”
Benjamin, who played in the NBA from 1998-2001 and in 2003, was the 28th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. He played for both the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks.
The incident, which was caught on video, occurred during a game between SoCal Blaze and Dream Academy at the MAP Sports Facility in Garden Grove.
Prior to the attack, the player in question shot a three-pointer and fell backwards onto the victim.
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When both players got up and walked to the other side of the court, the unidentified child’s mother allegedly told her, “You better hit her.” That’s exactly what she did.
The attacker and her mother were then forced to leave the venue.
According to CBS Los Angeles, the teenager has been banned by tournaments hosted by at least two separate clubs. One of those clubs, Swoosh Basketball, has announced that the girl, her mother and Dream Academy have all been banned from future play.
