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 throughout 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 develop 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 kids in entrance of them. He was sentenced to 3 years of probation.

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Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets walks onto the court docket previous to the sport towards the Atlanta Hawks throughout the 2022 Play-In Match on April 13, 2022 at State Farm Enviornment in Atlanta, Georgia. (Adam Hagy/NBAE through Getty Photographs)

“I wish to apologize to all people for the ache and embarrassment that I’ve triggered everybody, particularly my household,” Bridges stated. “This 12 months away I’ve used to prioritize going to remedy and turning into the most effective particular person I could be — somebody that my household and everybody right here could be pleased with.”

As of results of its investigation, the NBA suspended Bridges for 30 video games. The league introduced its determination in April. However, the league dominated 20 video games “have been already served” since Bridges missed your complete 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 likelihood, including that “lots of people do not get a second likelihood, and I wish to use this second likelihood to show to everybody that I am the identical child you drafted 5 years in the past.”

Hornets basic supervisor Mitch Kupchak stated outgoing majority proprietor Michael Jordan and incoming house owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall gave unanimous approval to re-sign Bridges.

Kupchak stated 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 throughout the first half towards the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Heart. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities)

“It’s a must to make a judgment, proper?” Kupchak stated. “Is that this honest regret? Is that this honest accountability? It’s not one thing that’s straightforward to guage. We took all of these elements into consideration and finally gave him a second likelihood.”

Kupchak stated he realizes that call might not sit effectively with some followers.

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

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

“Sure, I perceive that some individuals do not suppose I deserve a second likelihood,” Bridges stated. “That is why I’m attempting to make use of this 12 months to show to all people the person who I’m. Who’s Miles Bridges? It isn’t what individuals suppose he’s.”

Added Kupchak: “He understands that regardless that his teammates are pleased to have him again, there may be some belief that must be earned again.”

Bridges declined to get into specifics, aside from to say he continues to attend remedy and has relationship together with his younger kids.

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

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

After a profession season in 2021-22 through which he averaged a team-high 20.2 factors and 7 rebounds, Bridges appeared prone to signal a multiyear contract value greater than $100 million as a restricted free agent. However simply days earlier than the beginning of free company, the mom of his kids posted graphic photographs 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 develop into an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer time, giving him extra flexibility in his subsequent vacation spot.

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Charlotte not too long ago chosen ahead Brandon Miller from Alabama with the No. 2 choose within the NBA draft, and he might function an eventual alternative for Bridges.

The Related Press contributed to this report.