Delonte West, former NBA point guard player was arrested on June 6. West was trying to run away from the police and was suspected of an opioid overdose, hence the police had to administer him Narcan. After collapsing, he was allegedly found by police, taken to the hospital, and then placed under arrest on misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and breaking the terms of his parole.
The Incident of West’s Arrest
Narcan was provided by officers, but it “did not have the desired effect,” Fairfax County, Virginia police told TMZ Sports. However, once West was transferred to a nearby hospital, it did have the desired effect.
West tried to flee away from the police in Fairfax County, as the police were trying to arrest him with a warrant as he violated the terms of release. But West was found unresponsive due to drug overdose. He was arrested near 7200 block of Fairchild Drive in Groveton, Virginia
A mugshot image of West was shared by the police, after getting released from the hospital. In the image he appears to be raddled and his eyes only slightly open. Many NBA fans reacted to this picture with pity and how sad it was to see him in this condition. He was charged for resisting arrest from the police after getting from the hospital. He was then took to the county’s adult detention center.
According to TMZ Sports, the former guard for the Cavaliers, Kings, Celtics, and Mavericks is being jailed on a $2,000 bond and is expected in court on Friday.
Who is Delonte West
Delonte West is a professional American Basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for Seattle SuperSonics, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was also a player in the Chinese Basketball Association. Additionally he also played for other leagues such as NBA G League, Texas Legend etc. His professional career as a basketball player started in 2004 and lasted till 2015.
Between 2008 and 2010, West participated in three seasons of games in Cleveland with LeBron James.In 432 career games, he averaged 9.7 points and 3.6 assists.
West Battles with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues
In 2008, West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and reported substance abuse as well. West was observed panhandling on the side of the road in Alexandria, Virginia, four months prior. A few days later, he was spotted just hanging out in a 7-Eleven parking lot.
Earlier in October 2022 he was arrested twice in a period of two weeks. The first time was for fleeing and trespassing the police and the second arrest was for public intoxication.
Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban had also helped West to get into rehab Center in September, 2020. After a year in October 2021 he was arrested after allegedly breaking down the doors to the foyer of a police headquarters in Boynton Beach, Florida, while brandishing an open bottle of vodka and an open can of beer.
In 2022, he made a rare public appearance stating that he is doing okay and is between jobs currently trying to provide for his family and kids. He also mentioned about his ongoing recovery and efforts put in to fight bipolar disorder.
Conclusion
Delonte West’s recent arrest highlights the critical need for help and intervention for people dealing with mental health challenges. This arrest comes after a distressing sequence of events that included running from police and perhaps drugs overdosing. It serves as a sobering reminder of the complexity and difficulties people encounter and emphasizes the value of resources and compassion in resolving mental health emergencies in our communities. As the conversation on mental health continues to develop, it is critical to show compassion and look for ways to support individuals who are in need in order to make sure that no one suffers in silence or without access to support.
