Bad Boys: NBA players who have had trouble with the law

Right from wrong
Who are they?
Miles Bridges
Violence counselling
Eddie Johnson Jr
Spiralling out of control
Oliver Miller
Assault charges
Taurean Prince
Traffic stop
Ruben Patterson
Sex offenses
Daron Blaylock
Getting out early
Javaris Crittenton
Charged of manslaughter
Allen Iverson
Trouble prior to stardom
Jr Smith
Dangerous driving
Right from wrong

Whilst many people look at NBA players as their idols and people who can do no wrong, some players have had their fair share of run-ins with the authorities.

Who are they?

Let's look at some of the players who have found themselves in hot water with the authorities over the years.

Miles Bridges

The most recent and high-profile arrest made in the NBA this year was with Charlotte Hornets guard Miles Bridges, who is facing charges of domestic violence.

 

Violence counselling

The 24-year-old faces three years of probation, 52-week domestic violence counseling, and 100 hours of community service.

Photo: YouTube video @sportsfrenzy

Eddie Johnson Jr

Eddie Johnson Jr was an all-star level guard for a ten-year stretch between 1977 and 1987. His career was cut short in 1987 after being arrested for burglary, robbery, and assault.

Photo: By United States Forest Service - United States Forest Service via tradingcarddb.com, Public Domain

Spiralling out of control

Johnson's life continued to spiral out of control due to substance abuse, which led to over 100 arrests. In 2006 he was convicted of abusing an eight-year-old girl and was sentenced to life. He later died in prison in 2020.

YouTube video @Swish County

Oliver Miller

Oliver Miller, also known as the 'Big O' was an 18-year NBA veteran who featured for teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and the Toronto Raptors.

Assault charges

In April 2011, Miller was accused of pistol-whipping a man at a family Barbeque. He was charged with first- and second-degree assault and sentenced to a year in jail.

Taurean Prince

Selected 12th overall in the 2016 NBA draft, Taurean Prince currently plays for Minnesota Timberwolves and success hasn't help him escaped run-ins with the law.

Traffic stop

The 6ft6 forward was arrested on a fugitive out-of-state warrant that stemmed from traces of drugs found during a traffic stop near his home.

Instagram @Timberwolvesnights_italia

Ruben Patterson

Ruben Patterson had an 11-year professional career and had spells with the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.

Sex offenses

Patterson had many run-ins with the law in his basketball career and would have to register as a sex offender due to the attempted sexual abuse of his baby's nanny. In 2002 he was arrested for felony domestic abuse against his wife.

Daron Blaylock

Blaylock, a 13-year NBA veteran was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for a vehicle killing and other charges such as driving on a suspended license and failing to stay in the correct lane.

Getting out early

The former NBA star faced seven to ten years in prison but accepted a plea that saw him serve three years in prison and the fourth on suspended probation.

Javaris Crittenton

Crittenton only had a short four-year stint in the NBA after killing a 22-year-old woman in August of 2011.

Charged of manslaughter

The former NBA player was arrested by the FBI at John Wayne Airport in California and was given a 23-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter with a weapon and assault with a firearm.

Photo: Wikimedia commons, author: photo taken by Flickr user brookenovak

Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson will be known by most as one of the most exciting players to ever grace the NBA floor after numerous all-star selections and winning the 2001 MVP award.

Trouble prior to stardom

However, prior to his glittering NBA career, Iverson did spend four months in a correctional facility back in 1993 for allegedly striking a woman in the head with a chair.

Jr Smith

Jr Smith is now back at college on a golf scholarship after a highly successful career in the NBA. During his time in the NBA, Smith was frequently known for reckless driving and accidents.

Dangerous driving

In 2007, after pleading guilty to reckless driving in connection with a car crash that killed best friend Andre Bell, Smith spent 24 days in jail after being released six days earlier than expected.

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