James Nunnally addresses fight with Lazarevic, denies being aggressor / News - Basketnews.com

James Nunnally addressed the recent altercation with Stefan Lazarevic, defending his actions as self-defense.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade forward James Nunnally spoke out for the first time following the conflict with Crvena Zvezda's Stefan Lazarevic.

3-pointers this season

36%8,0Points made:8,0Accuracy:36,2%Place in standings:15Record max:12Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Kevin PunterTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The two players clashed after a Sunday morning practice, escalating from a verbal exchange about their incident in Game 2 of the ABA League Finals earlier that week, when Nunnally put his hands around Lazarevic's neck.

Both Crvena Zvezda and Partizan accused the other player of starting the fight.

In response to the controversy, Nunnally posted a message on X (formerly Twitter):

"I Am Who I Am. Not Who You Think I Am. Not Who You Want Me To Be. I Am Me.

Fabrication & manipulation wasn't necessary in this situation since there is HARD video evidence that revealed I had to protect myself from an aggressive individual. After attempting to de-escalate the situation I felt coming, My back (literally) against the wall a hand around my neck with a fist flying my way I had no other choice but to separate myself from him. There is no animosity towards him at all I hope he is well.

Any narrative about myself not including being a solid and honest human being cannot be true nor will be accepted. Never will I be perfect and I'm not striving for that, just learning from mistakes while holding myself accountable to become better from those past mistakes. I am not racist, by the way, for those people who've been telling me I'm racist while calling me black monkey, sending me bananas (love them in smoothies, not my favorite choice, though), countless amounts of N words, threats, through it all it won't affect my opinion of the other great Serbian people I've built relationships with through my time here. Interrupt this however you'd like just know your opinions of me don't change the opinions of those who really know & love me.

Nothing real can be threatened, nothing unreal exists."

Before the ABA League finals Game 3 on Sunday, Crvena Zvezda released a press release, claiming thatNunnally attacked and wounded Lazarevic.

Photographs provided by the club show that Lazarevic is visibly hurt, as his left eye is bruised and cut.

Later,Crvena Zvezda published the video recording of the incident, butPartizan disputed it, claiming that part of the video was deleted.

Meanwhile, Partizan guard Jaleen Smith stated he witnessed the entire incident and asserted that his teammate simply defended himself against Lazarevic's actions.

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