Delonte West and LeBron James
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Delonte West and LeBron James during an NBA game in May 2011
Former NBA guard Delonte West was arrested last month in Virginia in connection with an alleged robbery and assault, according to a report from TMZ.
The arrest marks another difficult chapter in West’s well-documented post-NBA struggles, which have played out publicly for much of the past decade.
According to the report, West, 42, was taken into custody after a caller contacted authorities claiming they were being robbed and assaulted, adding that the suspect had fled the scene.
When officers arrived, they reportedly located the individual across the street, where West was identified and arrested. Local authorities were said to be familiar with the former NBA player due to previous encounters tied to his legal history.
Delonte West’s Legal Trouble Adds to Troubled History
TMZ reported that the amount allegedly taken from the victim totaled $23. West was later released on a $1,000 recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 16.
West’s attorney, Brandon R. Sloane, addressed the situation in a statement, via Complex.
“We’re aware of the allegations and are confident that in time this case will show itself to be one of things not being as they initially appear,” Sloane said. “In the meantime, I am proud of Delonte as he has used this process to seek out help and been released on bond to a treatment facility. We all look forward to his continued progress, and Delonte is particularly appreciative of the numerous thoughts and well wishes over the last several weeks.”
The arrest follows a series of recent legal issues. In November, West was taken into custody after being found intoxicated and unconscious. When officers offered to transport him to a hospital, he reportedly refused, leading to an arrest for his own safety.
In 2024, West was arrested twice after officers served a warrant for violating the conditions of a prior release and resisting arrest. He was also taken into custody in a separate incident involving allegations of trespassing.
Life After Basketball Remains Challenging
West played eight seasons in the NBA after being selected in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft. Over his career, he suited up for several teams, including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks.
Since his playing days ended, however, West’s life away from the court has been marked by persistent legal trouble and ongoing struggles with mental health and substance abuse.
He has previously acknowledged a bipolar disorder diagnosis and has been arrested multiple times for offenses including trespassing and disorderly conduct.
In 2016, photos of West in distress circulated widely on social media, sparking widespread concern about his well-being and living situation. While West later disputed claims that he was homeless at the time, the images became symbolic of the challenges he faced after leaving the league.
Over the years, several figures and organizations attempted to intervene. The National Basketball Players Association, former Celtics executive Danny Ainge, and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban were among those who sought to help West regain stability.
The NBPA helped facilitate his residence change from Dallas to Maryland in recent years and extensively supported him financially,” Shams Charania reported in 2020. “Ainge and the Celtics have given him a scouting job to scout games in the D.C. and East Coast area, sources said, but West has had mixed results due to fluctuating attendance. His close friends and family have all stepped in whenever they could.”
As West’s current legal case unfolds, focus will remain on both the judicial outcome and the broader human story behind it.