Ja Morant in first public interview since NBA suspension, gun video: 'I made a bad mistake'

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant sat down with ESPN's Jalen Rose in his first public comments since March 4, when the point guard went on Instagram Live and brandished a handgun hours after a road loss to the Denver Nuggets. That incident led to an eight-game suspension issued by the NBA on Wednesday.

One of the first steps Morant took after his incident was pledging to find better ways to handle stress and his well-being. He took action by going to a counseling program in Florida.

Before the season, Morant admitted that he's "a victim" of not talking to anyone when his life gets tough. Morant told Rose that he is talking to therapists, doing reiki treatment and doing anxiety breathing to help manage and release.

"I feel mentally (better) than I have in many years," Morant said. "I'm in a space where I'm very comfortable."

Morant called his decision to go on Instagram Live inside a club a "terrible mistake." The NBA's finding concluded that the handgun didn't belong to Morant, and the two two-time All-Star confirmed that it wasn't his.

"I don't condone any type of violence, but I take full responsibility for my actions," Morant said. "I made a bad mistake. I can see the image that I painted over myself with my recent mistakes, but in the future, I'm going to show everybody who Ja really is, what I'm about and change this narrative."

Morant called his meeting on Wednesday with NBA commissioner Adam Silver "an open discussion" about things he needs to improve at and support.

Many people view Morant, 23, as one of the future faces of the NBA. With endorsement deals to major brands like Powerade, Nike and Beats by Dre, he has become a polarizing figure off the floor.

"I realize I have a lot of kids who look up to me," Morant said. "Even some adults. I realize my past mistakes isn't being a good role model. Just got to be better in that area, be more responsible, be smarter and make better decisions."

Rose, who admittedly had his own immaturity shortcomings as a young basketball player, had a viral clip from ESPN a day after Morant's incident, where he compared his younger self to Morant and gave him words of wisdom.

Morant is eligible to return to the Grizzlies on March 20, when the team plays against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum. Since Morant will need a ramp-up period after being away for 16 days, his return on the floor will likely come later that week.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant: Club gun video 'bad mistake' Grizzlies star to Jalen Rose