Milwaukee Bucks reportedly signing 7-foot center who used antisemitic slur during his stint with Miami Heat
The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly signing veteran center Meyers Leonard to a 10-day contract. Leonard has been out of the NBA since March 2021, after he was released by the OKC Thunder.
ESPN Sources: Free agent F/C Meyers Leonard -- out of the NBA since March 2021 after uttering an antisemitic slur on a video game livestream and rehabbing post-surgical nerve damage on his right leg -- is signing a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. https://t.co/sDxBJm9CPG
Leonard is also coming off a right leg injury, which he has rehabbed. He spent his first seven seasons playing for the Portland Trail Blazers as a backup center, averaging 5.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists.
His last two seasons were with the Miami Heat, and he had an important role as a backup center in their run to the NBA Finals in 2020.
Also read: When Meyers Leonard used anti-semitic slur "k**e" and was let go by Miami Heat in 2021: How it compares to the Kyrie Irving situation in 2022
What antisemitic slur did the Milwaukee Bucks center use?
Meyers Leonard has been out of the league since he blurted out an antisemitic slur, which was the downfall of his NBA career. He's now mounting a comeback, but let's take a look at what he did that caused him to be a free agent for some time.
Leonard, like other NBA players, enjoys playing video games and sharing how he plays with his fans online. On March 9, 2021, he played video games and blurted out the slur "k**e" in the heat of the moment. He said he was clueless at first, but found out about it the hard way.
The NBA has fined Meyers Leonard $50,000 and suspended him from team activities for one week after using an antisemitic slur while streaming on Twitch.
He will also be required to participate in a cultural diversity program buff.ly/3qATnog
In the video, Leonard can be heard saying the words,
"F****** cowards, don’t f******* snipe at me you f****** k*** b****."
This is why he ended up being traded by the Heat to the Thunder and was waived by the latter.
Can Meyers Leonard make a successful return in the NBA?
Making it in the NBA hasn't been an easy journey. One has to be talented and patient in putting in the work to be in the league for a long time. Additionally, one has to be aware of their actions as they are closely watched by fans and the media in most of the things they do.
Looking at Leonard's case, it seems as though he learned his lesson the hard way. After being out of the league for an entire season, he was able to reflect on his actions. In an interview earlier this month, the seven-foot center shared what he learned from his mistake.
"I was sad that I was losing my job, I was sad that I hurt people and frankly, all that I cared about in my life, was going to make this right," Leonard said.
Our interview with @MeyersLeonard, the former Portland and Miami center who is hoping to return to the NBA. Nearly two years ago, he used an antisemitic slur while playing Call of Duty on Twitch. A warning--this story includes offensive language. https://t.co/rWmt48Y8ID
Also read: Is Meyers Leonard still in the NBA?