Ja Morant will make his NBA return this week when his 25-game suspension ends.
Two-time All-Star Morant said his enforced hiatus from the game included "some horrible days".
“In the end, I feel like it made me better,” Morant told NBA.com on the eve of his long-awaited return to action.
He added: ”I feel like I learned some stuff about myself that I did during that process. Very eye-opening. It kind of gave me a new look on life. How I go about my days. How I carry myself.”
When will Ja Morant make his season debut?
Morant's ban officially ends on Tuesday, making him available for the Grizzlies' game against the Pelicans in New Orleans.
Many assume Morant will go straight back into Memphis' starting lineup, but he may also be under a minutes restriction as he gets back up to speed.
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His last NBA appearance came in April, almost eight months prior to his anticipated return, when the Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies out of the playoffs in Game 6 of their first-round series.
Why was Morant banned by the NBA?
Morant has served a 25-game suspension for what the NBA termed "conduct detrimental to the league."
Specifically, Morant was banned following an Instagram Live video clip which showed him brandishing a gun.
It came after he had already been suspended for eight games in March after a separate video surfaced of him holding a gun at a club in Denver.
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LA Clippers point guard Russel Westbrook clashes with an LA Lakers fan in the crowd during NBA gameFollowing the second incident, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on June 16: "Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games.
“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated."
Although Morant has been ineligible to play, and can't be in the Grizzlies arena during games, he has been around the team the rest of the time.
He has been involved in practices, film sessions, workouts and team dinners.
The 2022 NBA Most Improved Player has shown remorse for his actions, and checked into a counselling program in Florida after the suspension.
He also released a statement apologising for his behaviour.
"I've had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I've caused," Morant said on June 16.
"I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera - who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me, I'm sorry for the harm I've done.
"To the kids who look up to me, I'm sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I'm going to be better. To all my sponsors, I'm going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all my fans, I'm going to make it up to you, I promise."
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