May 22, (THEWILL) – NBA star LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets finds himself embroiled in a lawsuit with Tamaria McRae, a mother from North Carolina, alleging that the player struck her 12-year-old son, Angell Joseph, with his vehicle.
The incident allegedly occurred as Joseph attempted to obtain an autograph outside the Spectrum Center following the “Purple and Teal Day at the Hive” event on October 7, 2023.
According to court documents, Joseph stood alongside Ball’s SUV when the NBA player stopped at a traffic light. As the light turned green, Ball allegedly accelerated suddenly and negligently, striking Joseph and inflicting severe injuries, including wounds to his foot and back. McRae claims the incident has caused immense physical and emotional distress to her son, seeking at least $25,000 in damages.
Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that the Charlotte Hornets failed to provide adequate security and crowd control measures at the Spectrum Center’s employee exit, contributing to the incident through negligence. Consequently, the team is also named as a defendant in the case. Neither the Hornets nor Ball’s agent have issued statements regarding the allegations.
While the legal process unfolds, the incident has sparked discussions around athlete accountability and fan safety protocols at sporting events. As details emerge, both parties will present their cases, leaving it to the court to determine liability and appropriate compensation, if any.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
