Who is Joshua Holloway? Ja Morant counter lawsuit explained as internet reacts with skepticism

Ja Morant may have been the most popular NBA player over the past few months. The Memphis Grizzlies superstar has been involved in several controversies that have tarnished his image.

Besides all the controversies during the season, Morant's previous incidents surfaced as well. It turns out that the athletic point guard was involved in a physical altercation with a teenage boy named Joshua Holloway over the summer.

While Holloway has received a lot of attention because of his involvement with Morant, he's been quite popular for a while now. He is a 18-year-old basketball star who played for basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy this season.

Joshua Holloway, a point guard, has signed to play for the Samford Bulldogs.

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Ja Morant blames Joshua Holloway for their incident last summer

Holloway sued Morant earlier this year, but the Grizzlies superstar filed a counter lawsuit on Thursday. In the counter lawsuit, the 23-year-old NBA player claims that the teenage boy may have cost him millions of dollars.

In July, Joshua Holloway and Ja Morant played pickup basketball at the NBA player's home. The teenage boy hit Morant in the head with a baskeball, making the former Rookie of the Year upset. Morant allegedly punched Holloway and even flashed his firearm.

The teenage boy filed a lawsuit in January, but the Memphis Grizzlies fired back in court recently.

Morant counter sued the teenage boy he fought last summer (Image via Getty Images)

"Getting hit in the face with a basketball hurts; for a professional point guard like Mr. Morant, an injury to the eyes or nose could be career ending," the counter lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also brings up how the damage to Morant's image could have an effect on being selected for All-NBA honors, which are directly tied to his contract and the amount of money he makes.

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"Before Counter-Defendant lied and before he or someone else leaked his lies to the media, Mr. Morant was a strong prospect for one of six All-NBA guard spots," the lawsuit continues.

Some basketball fans believe that the counter lawsuit could further ruin Ja's public image.

Others pointed out how suing an 18-year-old boy (Joshua Holloway was 17 at the time of the incident) doesn't make a lot of sense.

Some internet users brought up the upcoming series Ja Morant will have against the LA Lakers.

Bringing Joshua Holloway to the courtside of Game 3 in Los Angeles would definitely be a great move.

Besides the Lakers, some fans brought Shannon Sharpe into the conversation. Sharpe had a verbal confrontation with the Grizzlies during the season.

Morant was suspended for eight games for flashing his gun in a live Instagram video. While he's trying to blame someone else for possibly losing out on All-NBA votes, that incident is his fault.

The Memphis Grizzlies extended Ja Morant's contract last summer, allowing him to make up to $233 million over five years. However, the contract has incentives and the 23-year-old guard will have to make an All-NBA team to get every single cent out of it.

You may be interested in reading: "A $50K night in the club cost him $39M": Ja Morant massive contract fallout surfaces in wake of scandals

Without an All-NBA selection, Morant will receive $194 million, which is significantly less.

Joshua Holloway signed with Samford

Joshua Holloway signed with Samford, a small Division I school in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday after averaging 11.4 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.

Samford and Oak Hill list Holloway as a 6-foot guard.

The Bristol (Va.) Herald Courier reported that ESPN national boys basketball recruiting director Paul Biancardi, a former head coach at Wright State and assistant coach at Ohio State and Boston College, labeled Holloway as “The Magician” in a January story.

Holloway transferred to Oak Hill after starring at St. George’s School in the Memphis area. There, he was coached by NBA veteran Thaddeus Young, who is from Memphis. He was named the team MVP as a junior.

Oak Hill is a nationally renowned basketball powerhouse, regularly attracting some of the finest high school basketball players. A boarding school, the team claims nine national championships and has been the launching pad for dozens of NBA players, most notably Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Rod Strickland and Jerry Stackhouse. Of course, scores of college players also played basketball there as well.

Joshua Holloway, however, was not ranked among the top 100 players in the 2023 class.