LOS ANGELES (CBSLA)� The coach of the player seen punching an
opponent in a viral video addressed the incident for the first
time on Saturday.

�First, I want to mention that my sincerest apologies were
expressed to the Ham Family on behalf of our Academy, the day
Lauryn was injured,� wrote Alex Wilson, the head coach of the
Dream Basketball Academy.

�I want to assure that our Academy takes these matters very
seriously and DOES NOT CONDONE this type of behavior. EVER.
(sic)�

The player in question was seen in the viral video punching 15-
year-old Lauryn Ham during a youth club basketball game on
Sunday, Nov. 7. Ham suffered a bruised neck and concussion.
Wilson said that the player has since been suspended
indefinitely.

The girl, who will not be named because of her age, is the
daughter of former NBA player Corey Benjamin. According to some
witnesses, the player was provoked to punch Ham by her mother.

�We are helping [the player] and her mother enter into
counseling & anger management as well as service to community
work,� wrote Wilson. �They couldn�t be more remorseful for their
part in this regrettable turn of events.�

A second video has emerged of the player attempting to fight
another player in a separate game. Wilson claims that the video
is taken out of context.

�A second video is circulating from September with no context
and zero connection to what transpired last Sunday in Garden
Grove,� he wrote. �The September clip was the result of players
cheapshotting [her] throughout the game and referees-in-training
not equipped with the experience needed to control the game at
this particular event. (sic)�

Since the viral incident, the Ham family has filed a police
report. They also want the offending player and her mother
banned from youth basketball and prosecuted. However, Wilson
believes that is too far.

�[The player], already hurting, made a mistake during an
emotionally taxing moment in Sunday�s game,� he wrote. Her
mother made a mistake she wishes she could take back as well. Do
we really want to ruin a 13 year-old�s (now 14 year-old�s)
future over this mistake? (sic)�

Wilson pointed to the recent scuffle between reigning MVP of the
National Basketball Association Nikola Jokic and Markieff
Morris. Jokic was suspended one game after shoving Morris to the
ground.

�Is the court of public opinion calling to have someone press
charges against him?� wrote Wilson. �Are we trying to end his
career?? No, of course not. Are we calling it a racially-
inspired assault?? Obviously not! That would make zero sense in
these cases. Just as it makes zero sense in this matter with
these two young girls (sic).�

Wilson asked the public to give the girls and their families
space to use this as a teachable moment.

Ham�s family said they have yet to hear from the other player or
her mom.

Wilson�s full statement can be read here.

https://cbsloc.al/3cclo0p

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/head-coach-of-girl-caught-
punching-opponent-in-viral-video-speaks-out/ar-
AAQGa5m?ocid=msedgntp