The former Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics star has detailed how his life fell apart
Delonte West of the Boston Celtics while going up against Lebron James, then of the Miami Heat. The pair were team-mates at Cleveland
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An NBA legend and former colleague of LeBron James has detailed his acute addiction problems, including leaving home to buy booze and not returning for 10 years. Delonte West played with James for the Cleveland Cavaliers between 2008 and 2010.
He also represented the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics and Dallas Mavericks during his eight seasons in the NBA. Spells playing in China and Venezuela followed before his life descended into chaos with addictions to drugs and alcohol, plus a long spell of homelessness.
Because of his profile as an ex-NBA star, much of his decline played out in the public eye through viral photos and videos, sparking widespread concern from fans, former team-mates and the wider basketball community.
However, after a spell in rehab, West has taken steps in the right direction, including reconnecting with his family, although there have been relapses along the way. West is using his status to try and inspire others to get the help they need, chronicling his journey on social media and making public appearances.
He was recently a guest on the Rise Above podcast with former addict Kevin Lanning, detailing the depths to which he sank, including a spell living on the streets and begging for food.
He said: "I went to the liquor store. I knew everyone in the area. There were guys in the parking lot. They sit out there, talk, hang around the store all day, sit at the side of the store and drink.
"I cracked open what I brought out of the store and drank it out there. I was hanging out. I sat down on the curb and I didn't get back up for another 10 years.
Delonte West (number 13) with his Cleveland Cavaliers team-mates, including James, in 2009
West (number 13) with his Cleveland Cavaliers team-mates, including James, in 2009(Image: David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
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"I didn't go back home, I didn't know what was going on. I didn't even have a phone for about eight years."
West was exposed to drugs from an early age, revealing he first smoked weed in the fourth grade (nine to 10 years ago). In later life, his drug habit got so extreme that it was all he could think about.
He added: "The first thing I thought about, the second thing, the third thing and the fourth thing, all day, every day, it was, 'How is this going to lead to another score.'
Delonte West
West has candidly detailed his struggle with addiction(Image: Rise Above with Kevin Lanning)
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"With humbleness, you have to see your foolishness and be OK with it. I'm not making fun or glorifying it but when I look at videos online [of him during his dark days], I can deal with it."
He credits his ongoing commitment to sobriety to his faith, finding the right medication and treatment, the support of his family and partners and applying the same mental discipline he used during his basketball career toward his recovery.