NBA Player Denounces Daughter's In-Game Sucker-Punch, Mom Charged

GARDEN GROVE, CA — A mother is charged for inciting her daughter to attack another girl during a youth basketball game, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer says .

Latira Shonty Hunt, 44 of La Puente, was charged with misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and battery by the Orange County District Attorney's Office Thursday.

Hunt faces up to a year in jail if convicted, though it was unclear when she would appear in court.

The rival player collapsed on the court following an unprovoked attack that was captured on a now-viral video. Her father, former NBA player Corey Benjamin, shared an apology over social media, saying he was shocked and disappointed by his daughter's behavior. Still, that was not enough to bring the incident to a close.

Benjamin issued a statement on social media shortly after the game apologizing for his daughter's actions.

"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," Benjamin wrote in his released statement."Nor does it exemplify the values, character and spirit of sportsmanship that the game of basketball requires.

"To the young lady who was punched by my daughter during a youth basketball game, I sincerely apologize to you and I am praying for your complete healing both physically and emotionally," Benjamin wrote. "To her family, I deeply apologize and regret that this happened to your daughter as she did not deserve this to happen to her. Finally, I apologize to all of those who have been impacted and hurt by the actions of my daughter as well as those of her mother."

During a Nov. 7 game at the Garden Grove youth basketball game at Map Sports Facility, Hunt called out to her daughter: "You better hit her for that!" after an alleged foul on the court.

Moments later, the girl sucker-punched an opposing player in the head. A person in the stands caught the attack on a cell phone video (below) that went viral.

Girl is sucker punched during basketball game pic.twitter.com/7JMDMw6Jfu
— Public Outsider (@publicoutsider) November 9, 2021

Alice Ham, the mother of the 15-year-old girl who was struck, told reporters later that her daughter suffered a concussion from the blow.

OCDA Todd Spitzer released a statement on the violent interaction at the youth sports game.

"It is unconscionable that a parent would encourage her child to engage in violence during a sporting event," Spitzer said in a statement. "Youth sports are invaluable in teaching our children discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. But a win at all costs mentality that is completely devoid of fair play, respect, and civility is disgusting. We as parents have the fundamental responsibility to raise our children to be good human beings who treat others with kindness and humanity."

City News Service contributed to this report.