Ex-Chicago Bulls player Corey Benjamin apologized after his 14-year-old daughter sucker-punched a 15-year-old girl in a viral video.
In the shocking video, Benjamin’s daughter, who has not been identified because she’s a minor, sucker-punched Lauryn Ham during a girls basketball tournament in Orange County.
Lauryn’s mother Alice Ham shared the video on Instagram, where it went viral.
Alice captioned the video:
“THIS… this right here makes me SICK to my stomach. This happened to MY DAUGHTER at her game yesterday. There is absolutely no place for something like this in basketball, I don’t care how famous you are!!”
Alice Ham, pictured right, accused the other girl’s mother of telling her to punch Lauryn, pictured left.
“This mom told her daughter to ‘go and hit her’ and my kid gets an unprovoked sucker punch. I’m sorry but it’s everything that’s wrong with youth sports. The girl and her mom showed absolutely no remorse and offered no apology. Youth sports needs to change.”
Alice Ham filed a report against the juvenile and is considering filing charges against the girl and her mother.
Kevin Hahn, an attorney representing Lauryn Ham, says this isn’t the first time Benjamin’s daughter took a swing at opposing players.
She was suspended for punching two rival players during a basketball tournament in September.
“My understanding is that organization that held the tournament [in September] banned her and suspended her from any other tournaments in their organization,” Hahn said.
He says Orange County tournament officials probably weren’t aware of the suspension.
Corey Benjamin has apologized to Alice and her daughter Lauryn, who suffered a concussion.
“This is not how I raised my daughter,” said Benjamin, who played with the Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks in 2003 before finishing his career overseas.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
