9 Lawbreaking NBA Players

Throughout the history of the NBA, lawbreaking players have believed they could get away with anything just because they were “athletes.”

Players like Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant thought they were above the law. Morant, 23, was recently accused of assaulting a minor and threatening a security guard. He then followed it up with illegal possession of firearms in Denver.

But, like any action, there are repercussions. The NBA is stringent regarding players bringing weapons inside team facilities and on team flights. Hence, the 23-year-old 2020 Rookie of the Year was suspended for at least 50 games. 

Apart from his suspension, he could also face legal consequences. The city Morant was in, Denver, prohibits carrying firearms or assault weapons.

The Grizzlies star may have ruined his career because of how irresponsible his recent actions were. But other players also gave the NBA and OKBET pundits headaches. Without further introduction, here are lawbreaking NBA players.

Kyle Lowry

Starting off this list is the 2019 NBA champion Kyle Lowry. Before he could have that ring, Lowry was a lawbreaking Raptors star.

In 2012, he was arrested for a misdemeanor battery charge. It happened amid the NBA lockout while Lowry played a pick-up game with other professional players in Las Vegas, Nevada. When things got heated, and calls did not go his way, he verbally assaulted female referee Infini Robinson. Lowry also threw a basketball at her.

Referee Bobby McRoy described Lowry as a player with “rage issues.”

“Lowry was abusive with him as well and believes that he has an anger problem. He said during the game, Lowry was verbally combative and confrontational to the victim leading up to the incident where he battered her twice with basketballs,” McRoy said to Bleacher Report.

For his behavior, he was slapped with two counts of battery and was required to complete 100 hours of community service. Lowry was also ordered to see a therapist for his “impulse-control management.”

Sam Cassell, Gary Payton Sr, and Jason Caffey

Former Milwaukee Bucks teammates Sam Cassell, Gary Payton Sr, and Jason Caffey ganged up a male and female stripper outside a strip club. Cassell was charged with two counts of assault, Payton with three counts, and Caffey with one.

The altercation happened after one of the Bucks argued with one of the women. The woman’s boyfriend came over to help, which led to the assault.

Who would have thought that three Bucks could be Lawbreaking NBA players?

Chris Anderson

The Birdman was just making a name for himself in the NBA when he was caught doing something terrible—drugs. Hence, he was suspended for two years.

But the NBA is not that cold-hearted. Anderson was given another chance, and in 2008, he was allowed to return to the league.

Although part of the lawbreaking NBA players, his story was inspirational. He was able to redeem himself after hitting an all-time low. Birdman made his mark by being ranked as the second-leading shot-blocker, averaging 2.5 blocks per game.

Carmelo Anthony

Melo, a Nuggets superstar then, was apprehended by the police for suspected driving under the influence (DUI) back in April 2008.

The then-Nuggets star was weaving and failed to dim his lights, resulting in him being pulled over. Anthony failed the sobriety tests and thus was slapped with a DUI charge.

But that was not the only instance where Anthony broke the law. He was also caught speeding in Colorado earlier in February of that same year.

Kendrick Perkins

Ironically, Perkins set a “good” example to the kids he was helping after he was arrested in Beaumont for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

The incident also happened during the 2011 NBA lockout. Perkins was outside The Ticket nightclub when he fought the club’s manager. After getting booted out of the establishment, the now-retired NBA star shouted obscenities. He also fought other people.

Delonte West

The former Golden State Warriors had an encounter with the police when he pulled a GTA on them back in 2009. West’s initial violation was speeding, but when authorities searched his car, they found a 9mm pistol, a .357 magnum, and a shotgun inside a guitar case. 

West was slapped with two gun charges and was on house arrest for eight months. He also underwent two months under probation and did 40 hours of community service.

On October 15, 2022, West, who was no longer in the NBA, was arrested again for entering a vehicle he did not own. He also committed public intoxication while fleeing state forces.

Darren Collison

Darren Collison had an outstanding career with the Sacramento Kings. However, one incident caused him to miss the first eight games of the 2016-17 NBA season.

Collison was arrested due to domestic violence that caused injuries. He was also slapped with battery charges.

He was in prison for 20 days and did 20 hours of community service. The Ex Kings player was also ordered to attend a domestic abuse program.

Read more: Former PBA ROY Boybits Victoria dies