Charlotte, North Carolina – A mother in Charlotte has filed a lawsuit against NBA player LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets on behalf of her son, alleging that Ball struck her child with his car while leaving the Spectrum Center after a fan event in early October 2023. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the Mecklenburg County Superior Court. Tamaria McRae claims negligence on the part of both Ball and the Hornets in the incident.
The incident occurred as Ball was leaving an event called “Purple and Teal Day at the Hive” at the Spectrum Center. Fans, including McRae and her 11-year-old son Angell Joseph, were waiting at the employee entrance to get autographs from players as they exited the arena in their vehicles. Joseph approached Ball’s stopped vehicle at a traffic light, and when the light turned green, Ball allegedly accelerated suddenly, hitting Joseph before driving away. The child reportedly suffered severe and painful injuries, including a broken foot.
The lawsuit accuses Ball of negligence for not properly controlling his vehicle, failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian, and not applying brakes in time to avoid hitting Joseph. It also alleges that the Hornets failed to provide adequate security and pedestrian control measures at the employee exit of the Spectrum Center, lacking proper employee training and safe protocols for player departures.
The family is seeking over $25,000 in compensatory damages from both Ball and the Hornets. The Hornets have chosen not to comment on the matter, and Ball’s agent has also declined to provide a statement. Ball, a third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and an All-Star in 2022, had an impressive 2023-24 season, averaging 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
This lawsuit raises concerns about player interactions with fans and the responsibility of sports organizations to ensure the safety of attendees at events. The legal proceedings will likely shed light on the incident and could prompt changes in security and safety protocols at NBA events. Stay tuned for updates as the case unfolds.