Former professional basketball player Corey Benjamin apologizes for his daughter’s actions after sucker-punching an opposing player at a basketball tournament. The girl reportedly threw the punch at the behest of her mother.
The 15-year-old victim’s mother said her daughter was disoriented from a concussion following the blow last week. She has filed a police report.
Benjamin, who previously played for the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, was not at the game but saw the now-viral video. He was saddened by what he saw. An attorney for the family said they would like to see both mother and daughter held accountable.
“This is not how I raised my daughter,” he told NBC Los Angeles.
“To the young lady who was punched by my daughter during a youth basketball game, I sincerely apologize to you, and I am praying for your complete healing both physically and emotionally,” Benjamin said. “To her family, I deeply apologize and regret that this happened to your daughter as she did not deserve this to happen to her. Finally, I apologize to all of those who have been impacted and hurt by the actions of my daughter as well as those of her mother. I am here for your family and wish only the best for you.”
He added, “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.”
The incident took place in the second and final game of the fall tournament last Sunday. The SoCal Blaze were up by at least 15 points when a player from the opposing Dream Academy shot a three-pointer and missed. Shortly after, the video shows the player taking a swing at the victim after her mother yelled, “You better go hit her.”
As soon as the player hit the ground, a referee blew a whistle to stop the game. The game subsequently ended.
This is not the first time Benjamin’s daughter has been in hot water at a tournament. She swung on two players back in September, resulting in a ban from that particular organization. It’s possible the organization holding last week’s game was unaware of her prior ban.
