In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Clippers recently signed guard Josh Primo, despite his ongoing suspension in the NBA. The suspension stemmed from a troubling investigation that found Primo had exposed himself to women during therapy sessions. Here’s what you need to know about this development:
Primo’s Pledge to Continue Therapy
Josh Primo, the former first-round draft pick, has declared his commitment to therapy as part of his journey towards an NBA comeback. This announcement comes as he officially joined the Clippers, marking his return to an NBA roster after a year-long hiatus since being waived by the San Antonio Spurs.
The Controversial Allegations
The controversy surrounding Primo began when a former team psychologist, Dr. Hillary Cauthen, filed a civil complaint against the Spurs, alleging that Primo had exposed himself to her multiple times during their therapy sessions. Subsequently, the team and Dr. Cauthen settled the lawsuit.
Primo’s Response
When asked to comment on the allegations, Primo chose to remain tight-lipped, stating, "I think at this point in time I’m not really here to speak about any details." He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity with the Clippers and emphasized his focus on the work he has done and will continue to do moving forward.
Legal Proceedings
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into Primo’s conduct in November, resulting in a criminal case for indecent exposure filed with the Bexar County’s district attorney office in May. As of now, the case remains under review.
Clippers’ Decision
The Clippers’ decision to sign Primo received mixed reactions on social media, with many fans expressing their concerns. However, the team defended their choice, citing several months of meetings with Primo and evaluations by therapists as the basis for their confidence in him as a positive contributor to the organization.
Input from Female Employees
Notably, female employees of the Clippers who have regular interactions with players were consulted before the team offered Primo a two-way contract. This reflects the team’s commitment to addressing concerns related to Primo’s behavior.
NBA’s Verdict
The NBA conducted its own investigation and found Primo had "engaged in inappropriate and offensive behavior by exposing himself to women." However, Primo maintained that these actions were not intentional. As a result, the league imposed a four-game suspension on Primo, along with barring him from participating in the team’s preseason games.
The Path Forward
While the suspension hangs over him, Josh Primo is determined to make the most of his opportunity with the Clippers. He will participate in the team’s practices during training camp and remains focused on his journey toward redemption and a potential NBA comeback.
Suspended Clipper Josh Primo says he will continue therapy, demonstrating his commitment to addressing the issues that led to his suspension while striving for a fresh start in the NBA.
Navigating Controversy: Athletes and Rehabilitation
Why did the NBA suspend Joshua Primo?
The NBA suspended former San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo for four games without pay due to conduct detrimental to the league. This action comes as Primo intends to sign a two-way contract with the LA Clippers, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. League investigators determined that Primo engaged in inappropriate behavior, specifically exposing himself to women. The suspension serves as a consequence for his actions, reinforcing the league’s commitment to upholding its standards of conduct.
Will Josh Primo sign a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers?
Is Josh Primo set to join the Los Angeles Clippers? Shortly after receiving a four-game suspension from the NBA for what the league deemed "inappropriate and offensive behavior by exposing himself to women," ESPN reported on Friday that the former San Antonio Spurs guard is indeed expected to ink a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Did Joshua Primo expose himself during therapy?
Did Joshua Primo engage in intentional exposure during therapy sessions? While the NBA’s Joshua Primo faced scrutiny after being released by the Spurs following allegations by a team psychologist that he had exposed himself during therapy sessions, sources close to the 19-year-old player strongly contend that he vehemently denies any wrongdoing, insisting that he never intentionally exposed himself.
Who is Josh Primo?
Who is Josh Primo? Josh Primo is a graduate of the University of Oregon who hails from the Oregon coast. He recently made headlines after being signed by the Clippers, despite an NBA suspension resulting from an investigation that found him involved in an incident where he was accused of exposing himself to women. Primo has expressed his commitment to therapy as he embarks on this new chapter of his career.
