Leonard apologised, writing: "I am committed to properly seeking out people who can help educate me about this type of hate and how we can fight it"; NBA spokesman says the league "are in the process of gathering more information" and condemn "all forms of hate speech"
Wednesday 10 March 2021 07:10, UK
Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard is facing an NBA investigation and will stay away from the team indefinitely after being recorded using an anti-Semitic slur while playing online video games.
Leonard was broadcasting himself via a Twitch stream while playing Call of Duty on Tuesday, during which he used the offensive term.
Clips of the incident quickly began circulating on social media.
"We just became aware of the video and are in the process of gathering more information," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement.
"The NBA unequivocally condemns all forms of hate speech."
The Heat have also confirmed they are conducting a review of the video, according to multiple US reports.
Leonard has since posted an apology on Instagram, writing: "I am deeply sorry for using an anti-Semitic slur during a livestream yesterday.
"While I didn't know what the word meant at the time, my ignorance about its history and how offensive it is to the Jewish community is absolutely not an excuse and I was just wrong.
"I am now more aware of its meaning and I am committed to properly seeking out people who can help educate me about this type of hate and how we can fight it.
"I acknowledge and own my mistake and there's no running from something like this that is so hurtful to someone else.... I promise to do better and know that my future actions will be more powerful than my use of this word."
An avid gamer, Leonard had about 58,000 followers on Twitch as of Tuesday afternoon. The nine-year NBA veteran announced his investment in the esports organization FaZe Clan in 2019.
Leonard had surgery on his left shoulder last month and is expected to miss the rest of the season. He has not played since January 9 and appeared in only three games this season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.
The 7-footer has averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 boards in 447 career games (93 starts) with the Portland Trail Blazers (2012-19) and Heat (2019-21).
Leonard was the only player on the Heat who opted to stand during the playing of the US national anthem before matches during last year's playoffs, with his team-mates all taking a knee to protest against racial injustice in America.
The 29-year-old explained at the time he was "with the Black Lives Matter movement" but wanted to support the military and his brother, who had served as a US marine, by standing for the anthem.
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