Who is Joshua Holloway? Ja Morant counter lawsuit explained as internet reacts with skepticism
Ja Morant may have been the most popular NBA player over the past few months. The Memphis Grizzlies superstar has been involved in several controversies that have tarnished his image.
Besides all the controversies during the season, Morant's previous incidents surfaced as well. It turns out that the athletic point guard was involved in a physical altercation with a teenage boy named Joshua Holloway over the summer.
While Holloway has received a lot of attention because of his involvement with Morant, he's been quite popular for a while now. He is a 18-year-old basketball star who played for basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy this season.
Joshua Holloway, a point guard, has signed to play for the Samford Bulldogs.
Ja Morant blames Joshua Holloway for their incident last summer
Holloway sued Morant earlier this year, but the Grizzlies superstar filed a counter lawsuit on Thursday. In the counter lawsuit, the 23-year-old NBA player claims that the teenage boy may have cost him millions of dollars.
In July, Joshua Holloway and Ja Morant played pickup basketball at the NBA player's home. The teenage boy hit Morant in the head with a baskeball, making the former Rookie of the Year upset. Morant allegedly punched Holloway and even flashed his firearm.
The teenage boy filed a lawsuit in January, but the Memphis Grizzlies fired back in court recently.
"Getting hit in the face with a basketball hurts; for a professional point guard like Mr. Morant, an injury to the eyes or nose could be career ending," the counter lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also brings up how the damage to Morant's image could have an effect on being selected for All-NBA honors, which are directly tied to his contract and the amount of money he makes.
You may be interested in reading: How much does Ja Morant make per game? NBA star's salary explored amid suspension by Memphis Grizzlies
"Before Counter-Defendant lied and before he or someone else leaked his lies to the media, Mr. Morant was a strong prospect for one of six All-NBA guard spots," the lawsuit continues.
Some basketball fans believe that the counter lawsuit could further ruin Ja's public image.
@TheNBACentral Dude is so petty lmao this isn’t helpful to Ja’s current public image 🤦♂️
@TheNBACentral Weak move for filing a lawsuit against a child you assaulted “Mr. Morant”
Others pointed out how suing an 18-year-old boy (Joshua Holloway was 17 at the time of the incident) doesn't make a lot of sense.
@TheNBACentral Nothing is more hood than suing a teenager, this guy is legit
@TheNBACentral Bro suing a 17 year old you bullied is crazy 😭
@TheNBACentral The kid after working a 20 hour shift at the lemonade stand to help pay Morant: https://t.co/zyS7OWnX1n
Some internet users brought up the upcoming series Ja Morant will have against the LA Lakers.
@TheNBACentral going to jail pal. after lakers sweep this dude
@TheNBACentral Additional Grizzlies drama right when Lebron is coming to town.
Bringing Joshua Holloway to the courtside of Game 3 in Los Angeles would definitely be a great move.
@TheNBACentral @Lakers give this kid a frontcourt seat in game 3. Ja is being ridiculous suing a teenager
Besides the Lakers, some fans brought Shannon Sharpe into the conversation. Sharpe had a verbal confrontation with the Grizzlies during the season.
@TheNBACentral Man. I was all about Ja. I really don’t like Ja any more. The entire Memphis culture is toxic. I’m riding with Unc @ShannonSharpe on this one.
Morant was suspended for eight games for flashing his gun in a live Instagram video. While he's trying to blame someone else for possibly losing out on All-NBA votes, that incident is his fault.
@TheNBACentral Flashing a hand cannon on IG sure didn’t help earn him a supermax either in this day and age…
Dont care about ur gun opinions, just saying, it can def have an impact here too and that’s gonna blur the argument.
@TheNBACentral https://t.co/TjwKqqhOaT
The Memphis Grizzlies extended Ja Morant's contract last summer, allowing him to make up to $233 million over five years. However, the contract has incentives and the 23-year-old guard will have to make an All-NBA team to get every single cent out of it.
You may be interested in reading: "A $50K night in the club cost him $39M": Ja Morant massive contract fallout surfaces in wake of scandals
Without an All-NBA selection, Morant will receive $194 million, which is significantly less.
Joshua Holloway signed with Samford
Joshua Holloway signed with Samford, a small Division I school in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday after averaging 11.4 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
✍️ 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙀𝘿 ✍️
Welcome to BHAM, @joshuholloway 😤
#BuckyBall | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/4u6WiLGbob
Samford and Oak Hill list Holloway as a 6-foot guard.
The Bristol (Va.) Herald Courier reported that ESPN national boys basketball recruiting director Paul Biancardi, a former head coach at Wright State and assistant coach at Ohio State and Boston College, labeled Holloway as “The Magician” in a January story.
Oak Hill is up by 6 at the end of the first quarter.Josh Holloway: Man on a Mission🔥 Oak Hill is up by 6 at the end of the first quarter.
@joshuholloway @oakhillacademy https://t.co/Yvm0yxfw90
Holloway transferred to Oak Hill after starring at St. George’s School in the Memphis area. There, he was coached by NBA veteran Thaddeus Young, who is from Memphis. He was named the team MVP as a junior.
Oak Hill is a nationally renowned basketball powerhouse, regularly attracting some of the finest high school basketball players. A boarding school, the team claims nine national championships and has been the launching pad for dozens of NBA players, most notably Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Rod Strickland and Jerry Stackhouse. Of course, scores of college players also played basketball there as well.
Joshua Holloway, however, was not ranked among the top 100 players in the 2023 class.
Oak Hill's Joshua Holloway has announced his commitment to @SamfordMBB. The 6'2 senior PG will join a talented Bulldogs roster and look to make an instant impact. Congrats on this amazing step in your journey @joshuholloway https://t.co/lMQ5jJocwM