Former NBA player Delonte West was recently taken into custody by police in Fairfax County, Virginia, amid concerning circumstances. According to reports, authorities responded to a call on Monday about a man found unconscious and apparently not breathing. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered that West was indeed breathing and able to converse. Despite being offered medical assistance, West declined hospitalization.
Due to his level of intoxication, police took the precaution of arresting West for his own safety. As of now, he has been released, and it remains uncertain whether he will face any charges.
The 42-year-old West has faced significant challenges with addiction, having multiple arrests since retiring from professional basketball. Notably, he was arrested on several charges last year, and was thought to have experienced an overdose at that time. His struggles continued in October 2022, when he was taken into custody after being spotted trespassing and attempting to evade police. West was also seen panhandling along a Virginia freeway in June 2022, marking the second occurrence of such behavior since 2020, when he was observed in similar circumstances in the Dallas area.
West’s former employer, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, has shown concern for him over the years. Cuban, who was instrumental in bringing West onto the Mavericks for the final season of his NBA career, previously facilitated his entry into a rehabilitation program. For a time, it seemed that West was making positive strides in his recovery.
Over his eight-season NBA career, West played for teams including the Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, and Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 9.7 points per game. The hope remains that with continued support and intervention, he can overcome his current challenges and regain stability in his life.