What does Kike mean? Meyers Leonard antisemitic slur controversy revisited in wake of Milwaukee Bucks signing

Meyers Leonard is back in the NBA after almost two years following his controversial use of an antisemitic slur. Leonard will sign a ten-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks more than a month after working out with the LA Lakers.

The league suspended Leonard for a week for using the derogatory term 'kike' during a live video stream on Twitch on Mar. 9, 2021. He was also fined $50,000, while the Miami Heat banned him from the team indefinitely. He was recovering from shoulder surgery at the time of the controversy.

The Heat would eventually trade Leonard to the OKC Thunder eight days later, but he was subsequently released by the team. He underwent ankle surgery in April that year and was diagnosed with nerve damage in the bottom half of his right leg.

Many thought that Meyers Leonard's career in the NBA was over once he uttered the word 'kike', but what does the word mean? It's a derogatory term or an ethnic slur for a Jewish person.

According to the Encyclopedia of Swearing, the term originated on Ellis Island in New York. It was derived from the Yiddish word kikel or circle. It was later used by Jewish-Americans to insult Jewish immigrants.

Meyers immediately apologized for using the ethnic remark. Twitch also banned his account, and he was ordered by the NBA to meet with Jewish leaders.

"I am deeply sorry for using an antisemitic slur during a livestream yesterday," Leonard said in a statement a day after his remarks. "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."

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NBA releases statement on Meyers Leonard last month

Meyers Leonard playing for the Miami Heat

When the LA Lakers brought Meyers Leonard for a workout last month, some questioned the move due to his use of an antisemitic slur. However, NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN that Meyers has been held accountable and used the last two years to educate himself.

"Since his use of a derogatory and unacceptable term in 2021, Meyers Leonard has been held accountable and has dedicated considerable time and effort to understand the impact of his comment," Bass said. "He has met with numerous leaders in the Jewish community and participated in community programs to educate himself and use his platform to share his learnings with others."

Myers even told Jeremy Schaap of "Outside the Lines" that he was counseled by two raabis from South Florida. He also noted that he has been working with several Jewish organizations in the last two years while also educating himself more about antisemitism.