Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges apologized for the “pain” and “embarrassment” his domestic violence suspension caused and vowed to be a person “everyone can be proud of” at a Tuesday press conference.

The comments were Bridges’ first since he signed a one-year deal to return to the Hornets after he missed all of last season following a June 2022 arrest on three domestic violence-related charges after allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend in front of their children.

His girlfriend had posted images and a description of the alleged incident on her Instagram account last year, and Bridges was charged several days later. 

He pleaded no contest to a felony domestic violence charge in November, while two of the other charges were dropped.

The 25-year-old avoided jail time and was given three years of probation as part of the plea.

On Tuesday, Bridges thanked the Hornets for giving him a second chance during the press conference. 

“I want to apologize to everybody for the pain and embarrassment that I have caused everyone, especially my family,” Bridges said.

“This year away I’ve used to prioritize going to therapy and becoming the best person I can be — someone that my family and everyone here can be proud of.”

“A lot of people don’t get a second chance, and I want to use this second chance to prove to everyone that I’m the same kid you drafted five years ago,” Bridges later said. 

Separate from the police’s probe, the NBA also investigated the allegations, and Bridges was handed a 30-game suspension.

He was credited with 20 games toward his suspension after sitting out all of last season and will have 10 games left on his punishment when the 2023-24 season begins. 

Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters that both the team’s outgoing owner Michael Jordan and incoming owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall signed off on bringing Bridges back. 

The GM also acknowledged that the decision may not sit well with all of the team’s fan base. 

“Obviously it is a polarizing topic,” Kupchak said. “Everybody may not agree.

“It’s a tough situation to be in.”

Bridges also said he understands that not everyone will be on his side as he re-joins the Hornets. 

He’s hoping to use this year as a way to change the way people think about him. 

“Yes, I understand that some people don’t think I deserve a second chance,” Bridges said. “That’s why I am trying to use this year to prove to everybody the person that I am.

“Who is Miles Bridges? It’s not what people think he is.”