Jaxson Hayes (Images Credit: Getty Images and TMZ)
After spending the first four seasons of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans, Jaxson Hayes signed with the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2023–24 season.
However, he has recently made headlines due to a legal matter stemming from his time with the Pelicans.
TMZ recently released a video capturing a heated incident between Hayes and his then-girlfriend, model Sofia Jamora, in 2021.
The video has prompted the NBA to take another look into the case.
The video shows an intense altercation allegedly sparked by a dispute over their pets.
Reportedly, Jamora accused Hayes’ dogs of injuring her own dog, leading to a confrontation.
The footage reveals Hayes forcefully pulling Jamora from one room to another while she repeatedly asks him to stop.
This new footage has led the NBA to reopen its investigation into Hayes’ actions.
When the incident first took place, the league did not impose any disciplinary measures.
However, the recently surfaced details now appear significant enough for the NBA to reconsider what NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed.
“As a result of the media report and video posted this morning, we are reopening our investigation,” Bass said to ESPN.
Jaxson Hayes’ Representative Responds To NBA’s Reopened Investigation
For many fans, the NBA’s renewed interest in the incident comes as a surprise, as Hayes had already faced legal consequences.
Following the 2021 altercation, Hayes was arrested and, in 2022, sentenced to three years of probation and 450 hours of community service.
He was also required to attend weekly domestic violence classes.
However, one of Hayes’ representatives expressed their intent to cooperate fully with the league’s renewed inquiry.
“There has already been an extensive investigation that we cooperated with the league on, and as that investigation reopens, we will continue to do so,” the representative told ESPN on Saturday.
Hayes played all six Lakers games this season.
So far, the Los Angeles Lakers center is averaging 5.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
