Delonte West Arrested After Trying To Evade Police: What We Know

Former NBA guard Delonte West was arrested and jailed in Virginia early Thursday morning on misdemeanor charges of violating the conditions of his release and resisting arrest, according ESPN. This incident adds another chapter to the troubled post-NBA life of West, who has publicly struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues. West, 40, is being held at the Fairfax County Detention Center on a $2,000 bond. He was scheduled for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. EST Friday morning. The arrest occurred after a pursuit in Groveton, Virginia, where police found West unresponsive and had to administer Narcan twice to revive him. Despite the challenges he has faced, West’s story remains one of resilience and the continuing efforts by friends and former colleagues to support him.

Fairfax County police spotted West around 1 a.m. in Groveton, Virginia, and sought to serve a warrant for his arrest. When the officers approached, a pursuit ensued, and they temporarily lost sight of West during the chase. Eventually, officers found him unresponsive. They administered Narcan, a medication used to counteract narcotic overdoses, but the initial dose did not revive him. West was then transported to a local hospital, where a second dose of Narcan was successfully administered. After his condition stabilized, he was released from the hospital and transported to the Fairfax County Detention Center.

Delonte West faces misdemeanor charges of violating the conditions of his release and resisting arrest. The specifics of what conditions West violated have not been detailed, but these charges add to his history of legal and personal troubles. His arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. EST on Friday, where further details are expected to be disclosed. West’s bail has been set at $2,000, and it remains to be seen how this latest incident will impact his ongoing struggles and legal standing.

West has been open about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which he discussed during his NBA career. This diagnosis, combined with his well-documented battles with substance abuse, has complicated his life post-basketball. In 2021, West received treatment at a drug rehabilitation therapy center in Florida and later worked at the facility. This was part of an effort by several individuals in the NBA community, including former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, to help West regain stability in his life. Cuban’s intervention in 2020, where he personally picked West up from a gas station after photos of him panhandling in Dallas went viral, highlighted the ongoing support West has received.

Delonte West had a respectable NBA career, averaging 9.7 points and 3.6 assists per game over eight seasons. He played for notable teams, including the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks. His last NBA season was with the Mavericks in 2011-12. Despite his professional success, West’s post-NBA life has been marred by personal challenges. The support from the basketball community, especially figures like Mark Cuban, underscores the efforts to help him navigate these difficulties. Cuban’s involvement has been particularly significant, as he has made multiple attempts to provide West with the resources needed to overcome his struggles.