NBA Reopens Investigation Into Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes After 2021 Video Surfaces
The NBA has decided to reopen an investigation into Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes following the release of a video showing an incident with his former girlfriend.
TMZ published a video on Sunday morning, showing an incident that took place on July 28, 2021, featuring Hayes and Sofia Jamora.
“Because of the media report and the video released this morning, we are reopening our investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN.
In the nearly six-minute video, Hayes can be seen pulling Jamora out of a doorway. Jamora pleads, “Stop. Let go of me.” Hayes responds, “What the (expletive) is wrong with you?”
Jamora then says, “I’m not going to let you hit me anymore. What the (expletive) do I look like, a punching bag?”
Hayes walks away from Jamora and then spits in her direction.
Hayes, who played for the New Orleans Pelicans at the time, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses after shoving a police officer, leading to him being tased and booked. Hayes eventually pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of false imprisonment and resisting arrest. He received a sentence of three years probation, 450 hours of community service, and a year of weekly domestic violence classes.
The 24-year-old Hayes is in his second season with the Lakers and is averaging 5 points and 4.2 rebounds as a reserve player this season.