The mother of a former NBA player’s daughter was charged Thursday after allegedly telling the girl to “hit” an opponent at a youth basketball tournament in California last month, prosecutors said.
The daughter listened to her mom, Latira Shonty Hunt, and sucker-punched the 15-year-old victim who crumpled to the hardwood “like a rag doll,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.
The wild caught-on-camera spectacle went down during a tournament in the city of Garden Grove near Los Angeles.
Hunt, 44, screamed, “you better hit her for that” after her daughter fell to the ground on a prior sequence involving the victim, according to Spitzer.
Spitzer called the mother’s words the “catalyst” for the attack.
“In my opinion, it would have not happened, but for mom’s words,” the prosecutor said.
Hunt is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and battery.
Her daughter’s father is former NBA player Corey Benjamin, who played three seasons with the Chicago Bulls and part of one with the Atlanta Hawks.
Benjamin issued an apology last month following the incident.
“As a father, I’m shocked and disappointed at my daughter’s behavior as this is not a reflection of the values and standards that my family holds,” he said.
“Nor does it exemplify the values, character and spirit of sportsmanship that the game of basketball requires.”
With Post wires
