SACRAMENTO, California — Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo has offered a stronger apology for directing a gay slur at veteran NBA referee Bill Kennedy.

Rondo said on Monday his actions toward Kennedy on Dec. 3 were out of frustration and not meant to offend anyone.

Rondo issued a statement on Tuesday addressing those who viewed his initial statement as a non-apology. He said: “I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill. There is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone’s sexual orientation. That is not who I am or what I believe, and I will strive every day to be a better person.”

Kennedy told Yahoo Sports he is gay.

Rondo is serving a one-game suspension.

© 2015, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.