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Ja Morant claims gun he flashed at strip club doesn't belong to him but Internet is 'not buying it'

The NBA star said in an ESPN interview that he 'doesn’t condone any type of violence'

DENVER, COLORADO: NBA player Ja Morant was recently suspended for eight games after he brandished a firearm in a nightclub. The NBA is currently investigating the matter and could impose a longer suspension if he is found to have carried a firearm on team property.

The 23-year-old who brandished a gun in an Instagram Live on March 4 now claims that the weapon he was waving around in the live video isn't his. The player made the shocking revelation in a recent interview with ESPN.

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Ja Morant paid $50K in cash tips at Shotgun Willie's before flashing gun on livestream, reveals insider

Shotgun Willie's: Colorado strip club where Ja Morant flashed his gun on livestream has a 'violent' past

What did Ja Morant claim in the interview?

The Grizzlies star said, "It’s not who I am. I don’t condone any type of violence, but I’ve taken responsibility for my action. I put myself in a bad position." “I’m gonna show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about and change this narrative that nobody got painted over me." He further added, “I realized I have a lot of kids who looked up to me, even some adults, a lot of fans and I realize my past mistakes is in being a good role model. So, just got to be better in that area, be more responsible, be smarter and make better decisions. I feel mentally good,” Morant said. “I was constantly talking to therapists. I’ve been doing Reiki treatment. I’m doing anxiety breathing different stuff to help me manage that and release all that stuff from my body." 

What happened at the nightclub? 

As it turned out, Ja Morant had shelled out at least $50,000 in tips during the two-day booze cruise that took place in Denver. Morant arrived at Shotgun Willie's around 1.30 am with a friend and two security guards. An insider claimed, "He was there to party; he wanted some girls in the room," the insider said. "The music was very, very gangster." During the party, as he went live on Instagram and brandished the gun, he sang 'Bring 'Em Out' by rapper YoungBoy. Deborah Dunafon, the majority owner of Shotgun Willie, explained that Morant is a regular customer of the venue and has visited Mach 2 and Macrch 4. The owner claimed, "This kid, real young, was exceptionally respectful and sweet and he did not drink [on his second visit]. We've had [Denver] Nuggets and Broncos ... come in and pitch quarters at the girls be disrespectful and nasty. He's marvelous," reports New York Post.

'This clip should be on Comedy Central'

The Internet quickly reacted to Ja Morant's interview. A user said, "It certainly looked like his when he wanted to be cool on IG." "What did y’all expect him to say?," claimed a user. "Then why flash it," asked another. "Ohh my god this ridiculous😂😂😂," said a user. "**flashes gun** “I don’t condone violence”," added another. "This clip should be on Comedy Central.," read a comment. A user suggested, "Prob should take an acting class next time." A tweet stated, "Funny how messing with his money makes a difference in attitude " A tweet stated, "This dude grew up in the white neighborhood and tried to act gangster. Lol." "thats what a person with a gun would say," wrote a user. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.