Hornets’ Miles Bridges apologizes for ‘pain I caused’ and vows to make the most of his second chance

Miles Bridges didn’t seem in any video games in the course of the 2022-23 NBA season and was the topic of a home violence investigation.

On Tuesday, the Charlotte Hornets ahead broke his silence and publicly apologized for the “ache and embarrassment” he triggered. The 25-year-old signed a one-year, $7.9 million contract to return to the Charlotte, the place he vowed to turn into a optimistic a part of the group.

In November, Bridges pleaded no contest to felony cost that stemmed from accusations that he assaulted the mom of his youngsters in entrance of them. He was sentenced to 3 years of probation.

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“I need to apologize to everyone for the ache and embarrassment that I’ve triggered everybody, particularly my household,” Bridges mentioned. “This 12 months away I’ve used to prioritize going to remedy and turning into the perfect particular person I might be — somebody that my household and everybody right here might be pleased with.”

As of results of its investigation, the NBA suspended Bridges for 30 video games. The league introduced its choice in April. However, the league dominated 20 video games “have been already served” since Bridges missed your entire previous season.

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Subsequently, Miles will sit out the primary 10 video games of the upcoming season.

Bridges thanked the Hornets group and the NBA for giving him a second probability, including that “lots of people do not get a second probability, and I need to use this second probability to show to everybody that I am the identical child you drafted 5 years in the past.”

Hornets common supervisor Mitch Kupchak mentioned outgoing majority proprietor Michael Jordan and incoming homeowners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall gave unanimous approval to re-sign Bridges.

Kupchak mentioned that call was primarily based on separate investigations by the NBA and the Los Angeles Police Division, in addition to the group’s private five-year relationship with Bridges. Bridges was drafted within the first spherical in 2018 and has performed 4 seasons in Charlotte.

Mar 27, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Charlotte Hornets ahead Miles Bridges (0) reacts after being fouled in the course of the first half towards the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Middle. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities)

“It’s important to make a judgment, proper?” Kupchak mentioned. “Is that this honest regret? Is that this honest accountability? It isn’t one thing that’s straightforward to evaluate. We took all of these elements into consideration and in the end gave him a second probability.”

Kupchak mentioned he realizes that call could not sit properly with some followers.

“Clearly it’s a polarizing subject,” Kupchak mentioned. “All people could not agree. It is a robust state of affairs to be in.”

Bridges mentioned he understands he’ll must regain the belief of everybody concerned, from followers to teammates to members of the Hornets group.

“Sure, I perceive that some folks do not suppose I deserve a second probability,” Bridges mentioned. “That is why I’m attempting to make use of this 12 months to show to everyone the individual that I’m. Who’s Miles Bridges? It is not what folks suppose he’s.”

Added Kupchak: “He understands that although his teammates are blissful to have him again, there’s some belief that must be earned again.”

Bridges declined to get into specifics, apart from to say he continues to attend remedy and has a superb relationship together with his younger youngsters.

Bridges’ NBA profession took an abrupt flip final summer season.

Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets walks onto the courtroom earlier than the sport towards the Washington Wizards on April 10, 2022 at Spectrum Middle in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE through Getty Photos)

After a profession season in 2021-22 during which he averaged a team-high 20.2 factors and 7 rebounds, Bridges appeared prone to signal a multiyear contract price greater than $100 million as a restricted free agent. However simply days earlier than the beginning of free company, the mom of his youngsters posted graphic pictures and descriptions of alleged bodily abuse by Bridges on her Instagram account.

The large contract provide by no means got here, and Bridges didn’t play in any respect final season because the NBA opened an investigation.

By signing the Hornets’ qualifying provide, Bridges is eligible to turn into an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer season, giving him extra flexibility in his subsequent vacation spot.

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Charlotte just lately chosen ahead Brandon Miller from Alabama with the No. 2 choose within the NBA draft, and he may function an eventual substitute for Bridges.

The Related Press contributed to this report.