TACOMA, Wash. -- Former [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/) star Shawn Kemp on Tuesday pleaded guilty to an assault charge in connection with a 2023 shooting at two men inside a vehicle in Washington state.
The 6-time NBA All-Star pleaded guilty to second-degree assault as part of a plea agreement in Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, according to the prosecutor’s office. He was initially charged with one count of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, but prosecutors last week added an additional count of first-degree assault as well as one drive-by shooting charge, according to [The Seattle Times](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/sonics-legend-shawn-kemp-pleads-guilty-to-second-degree-assault/).
Kemp, 55, will be sentenced on Aug. 22. The standard sentencing range for second-degree assault in Washington is three years and nine months with one year of community custody (another term for parole). The maximum sentence is 10 years confinement and a fine up to $20,000.
The prosecutor suggested the judge sentence Kemp to nine months in jail, one year in community custody and to pay restitution, The Times reports. In addition, Kemp will be required to provide a biological sample for a law enforcement database and cannot possess a firearm as part of his plea agreement.
“Shawn is committed to moving forward in a positive direction,” Kemp’s attorney, Tim Leary, said in a statement. “He was presented with an offer from the state that allows him to take responsibility, but I think also recognizes the self-defense nature of how this transpired.”
Kemp was charged after shooting at two men inside a Toyota 4Runner in the parking lot at Tacoma Mall in March 2023. Neither passenger or Kemp was injured in the shooting, but the Toyota 4Runner and another nearby vehicle were both damaged.
Kemp claimed he fired at the vehicle in self-defense after one of the men first shot at him, according to court records. The men in the Toyota 4Runner left the scene before police arrived, and the vehicle was found abandoned five days later with an empty gun holster inside. Both men, ages 39 and 35, are currently serving prison sentences in other cases.
A 14-year NBA veteran forward, Kemp played his first eight seasons for the Seattle SuperSonics from 1989-97, earning five consecutive All-Star selections. In September 1997, he was traded to Cleveland, where he played three seasons from 1998-2000, earning his sixth consecutive and final All-Star selection in 1998. Kemp also played two seasons for the Portland Trailblazers and one season with the Orlando Magic in 2003 before retiring from the NBA.
For his career, Kemp averaged 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 27.9 minutes across 1,051 games, including 728 starts.