LaMelo Ball Apologizes After Getting $100K Fine for Using Anti-Gay Slur: 'I Don't Discriminate'

Hornets head coach Charles Lee said Ball is "obviously very apologetic" about the "offensive" comment

Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball addressed his recent postgame comment that resulted in a $100,000 fine from the NBA.

Following the Hornets' 128-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ball, 23, told reporters he wanted to address the comment — which the NBA called "offensive and derogatory" in a statement on Sunday, Nov. 17 — before his postgame interview.

"Before we get started, I just want to address the comment yesterday. I really didn't mean anything [by it] and don't want to offend anybody," Ball said on Sunday, per SI and The Athletic. "I've got love for everybody, and I don't discriminate," the Hornets guard added.

Ball made the comment during a live interview on the Hornets' FanDuel Sports Network after their 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, Nov. 16, saying, “Yeah, we loaded up — no homo — but that’s what we wanted."

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In a statement made the following day, Joe Dumars, the NBA's executive vice president and head of basketball operations, said that Ball would be fined $100,000 for the "offensive and derogatory" comment.

Hornets head coach Charles Lee was also asked about Ball's comment after the loss to Cleveland on Sunday. Lee, 40, said, "As an organization, that is obviously not something we condone," and told reporters that the organization's standards for the "environment" created by players is "really important."

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Charlotte's head coach said he spoke to Ball regarding the comment, assuring reporters that the NBA star is "obviously very apologetic."

"From what I've seen since I've been around him, he loves everyone," Lee continued. "He's a joy to have around the facility and it's not typically how he operates. He and I talked about the seriousness of the situation and how he needs to conduct himself going forward."

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Lee added that Ball promised, "I'm going to be better" during their conversation. "We will make sure to hold him accountable to that," the head coach said.

Ball is in his fifth season with the Charlotte Hornets, who selected him with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. This season, he's averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds.

His brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball, also play professional basketball.