The daughter of former NBA player Corey Benjamin is in the hot seat. She is accused of assaulting an opponent at a Southern California basketball tournament last weekend.
The incident was caught on video.
Sucker Punched
It shows Benjamin’s daughter attempting a three-pointer, missing and then sucker-punching her defender on the way down the court.
Funny they don’t mention this is Corey Benjamin’s daughter! pic.twitter.com/RKDyosvhui
— Mimi Sze (@grrrlmimi) November 10, 2021
The viral scuffle saw the assaulted player hit the court. According to reports, she now is suffering from a concussion from the incident.
The incident happened during the Fall Jamboree tournament between the SoCal Blaze and Dream Academy at the MAP Sports Facility in Orange County, California. The victim, Lauryn Ham, is a player for the SoCal Blaze.
What Happened?
The attack reportedly happened in the last four minutes of the game. At the time of the attack, the SoCal Blaze was up by 20 points. However, the victim’s mother, Alice Ham, believes the accused player received direction from her mother to attack her child.
In the video, you can hear a voice yell out, “you better hit her,” after Lauryn Ham fell backward into the accused player. According to Alice Ham, that voice came from Tyra Hunt, the offending player’s mother.
Additionally, the game referee told NBCLA that the other girl’s mother was the one who yelled out the physicality directive to the 14-year-old.
Mama Said Knock You Out
“The most shocking and outrageous part is to hear the mother instruct her daughter to go hit her for that, and that’s unfathomable,” said the attorney for the Ham’s, Kevin Hahn, to NBCLA.
According to the reports, SoCal Blaze’s coach ejected Benjamin’s daughter from the gym, ending the game. However, the 15-year-old went to an urgent care facility and the family filed a police report.
Benjamin Apologizes For His Daughter
“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,” said Corey Benjamin, who did not attend the game.
“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.”
Lonzo Ball, Kyle Lowry Trade Deals Under NBA Investigation For Tampering | So What Now?
Benjamin, a native of Southern California, was drafted in 1998 in the first round by the Chicago Bulls. He played three seasons with the Bulls and a partial season with the Atlanta Hawks.
“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.”
Not The First Incident
However, this is not the first on-court incident that Benjamin’s daughter has been involved in.
"This is not how I raised my daughter."
Former NBA player #CoreyBenjamin breaks his silence after his daughter is seen #suckerpunching another girl. Now a second video emerges showing his daughter attacking other girls. The new video – At 11 from ABC7. https://t.co/xKNCjQK5le pic.twitter.com/plnsExrhB0— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) November 12, 2021
Benjamin’s daughter is on camera throwing punches on the court in another video from September. In this incident she and another young player are jockeying for position when they begin fighting. She also chases and assaults another player at the same time as well.
Who’s The WNBA GOAT? | Fan Voting For “The W25” Greatest Players In History Unveiled September 5
According to reports, this incident happened at another Southern California gym. Subsequently, Benjamin’s daughter has been banned, from both gyms according to reports.
