Mom who shouted from stands for daughter to hit youth basketball game opponent ordered to pay more than $9,000 in restitution



A southern California mother who shouted from the stands last year for her daughter to hit her youth basketball game opponent was ordered this week to pay more than $9,000 in restitution, undergo anger management, and write apology letters, NBC News reported.

What's the background?

Latira Shonty Hunt, 44, of La Puente, was charged in December with one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one misdemeanor count of battery, the network said, citing a statement from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

During a Nov. 7 tournament game between the SoCal Blaze and Dream Academy, Hunt's daughter took a shot and fell backward and into the victim, who also fell to the court, after which they both got up and began walking to the other end of the court.

Prosecutors said Hunt yelled to her daughter "you better hit her," NBC News said.

It appears those words can be heard in the video of the incident, during which Hunt's daughter blindsides the victim, hitting her apparently in the head and knocking her to the court:

\u201cA mother has been charged for allegedly yelling instructions to her daughter to attack another player at a basketball game.\u201d
— The Post Millennial (@The Post Millennial) 1639186128

KNBC-TV reported that the victim suffered a concussion.

Judge weighs in

A county superior court judge on Wednesday granted Hunt misdemeanor diversion in exchange for completing a series of requirements over the next two years, including writing an apology to the victim, her parents, and both basketball teams, NBC News said, citing prosecutors.

Hunt also was also ordered to pay more than $9,000 in restitution and complete anger management classes before she can attend basketball games again, the network reported, citing prosecutors. Hunt also was ordered to stay away from the victim, NBC News added, citing the district attorney’s office.

The network said Hunt on Thursday couldn't be immediately reached for comment and added that it's not clear if an attorney was representing her.

Contrite words from attacker's father — a former NBA player

The father of the player who attacked the unsuspecting girl is former NBA player Corey Benjamin – and he issued an apology following the incident, which NewsNation said the Associated Press obtained.

"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 said, according to the AP. "Nor does it exemplify the values, character and spirit of sportsmanship that the game of basketball requires."

He added: "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. 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."

Teen brutally sucker-punches girl. Mother charged for allegedly telling daughter to 'hit' opponent. Assailant's father, an ex-NBA player, apologizes.



A teen girl brutally attacked her opponent during a basketball game last month in Southern California. The assailant's mother has been charged in the sucker-punch attack for allegedly telling her daughter to hit the other girl. The attacker's father – who is a former NBA player – apologized for the barbaric assault.

During the tournament game between the SoCal Blaze and Dream Academy on Nov. 7, a player took a jump shot. A defender put a hand in her shooter's face, and the two players caused each other to fall down to the ground.

Both players get up and start walking to the other side of the court.

In the video, you can hear a female voice yell, "You better hit her for that!"

A second later, one of the players winds up and brutally sucker-punches the defender in the head.

KNBC reported that the victim suffered a concussion, and is "home and recovering."

According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Latira Shonty Hunt allegedly instructed her daughter to "hit" the opponent. Hunt, 44, was charged with two misdemeanors — one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of battery. Hunt, of La Puente, California, faces up to a year in jail if convicted.

"It is unconscionable that a parent would encourage her child to engage in violence during a sporting event," Orange County District Attorney Todd 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."

Kevin Hahn – an attorney for the victim – said, "There was a clear direction from the mother to go hit my client. She clearly acted at the direction of her mother."

The assailant's father – ex-NBA player Corey Benjamin – issued an apology.

"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 said. "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," he continued. "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."

Brett Greenfield – a lawyer representing the Benjamini family – told NBC News, "We look forward to seeing the evidence and will address the charges accordingly."

"In the meantime, nothing is being done to protect the privacy of a minor nor has any protection been offered in the face of multiple unsolicited threats and racist rants directed toward the mother and minor daughter," Greenfield added.

(CAUTION: Graphic Footage)

A mother has been charged for allegedly yelling instructions to her daughter to attack another player at a basketball game.pic.twitter.com/WuszFfWAdi
— The Post Millennial (@The Post Millennial) 1639186128