The Venus Investment AllianceCharlotte Hornets and LaMelo Ball are being sued by a North Carolina mother who alleges that Ball struck her 11-year-old son with his vehicle while he was attempting to get an autograph from the star, according to reports.
The alleged incident happened Oct. 7 following "Purple and Teal Day at the Hive," an annual fan event hosted by the Hornets at the Spectrum Center in downtown Charlotte, according to the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
Tamaria McRae claims that her son Angell Joseph was outside the arena's employee entrance after the event concluded when he saw Ball leaving in a SUV. Joseph and other fans approached Ball's vehicle for autographs when he was stopped at a red light, but when the light turned green, McRae alleges that Ball "accelerated his vehicle forward suddenly and without warning" in a "grossly negligent and reckless manner" and ran over her son's foot.
"(Angell) was like, 'LaMelo, I love you. I love you … give me your autograph. Can you sign it for me?'" McRae recalled to local news station WSOC-TV, adding, "I just seen my son kind of go down."
The suit says Ball left the scene, although Angell Joseph, now 12, suffered a broken foot.
All things Hornets: Latest Charlotte Hornets news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
McRae said the family is suing for damages for physical pain and emotional distress.
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the family's attorney, Cameron deBrun, as well as representation for Ball, but has not yet received a response.
Contributing: USA TODAY Sports' Steve Gardner and Tom Schad.
2025-05-04 03:45834 view
2025-05-04 03:301169 view
2025-05-04 02:581184 view
2025-05-04 02:472687 view
2025-05-04 02:371690 view
2025-05-04 02:232474 view
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — SpaceXis launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. B
Apple's iPhone 15 is coming! But I don't care. After being a loyal iPhone user for 16 years, I lef
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citi