Former NBA player Delonte West is facing serious legal trouble once again after being arrested last month in Virginia for an alleged robbery involving a small amount of money.
The Arrest and Charges
According to reports from TMZ and the New York Post, West was arrested on December 21, 2025, in Belle Haven, Virginia. The 42-year-old ex-basketball star is accused of robbing an individual of US$23. Police took him into custody after the alleged victim identified him near the scene on Richmond Highway.
Court records indicate West was formally charged with assault and battery, and robbery using force. The eight-year NBA veteran was later released after posting a $1,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 16 in Fairfax County.
A Troubled History and a Search for Help
This incident is the latest in a series of off-court struggles for West, who has publicly battled mental health issues and homelessness since his playing career ended. His attorney, Brandon Sloane, provided a statement suggesting this event may be a catalyst for positive change.
"We are confident the details of the case will show there's much more to the story," Sloane told TMZ. He added that West is "using the experience as a wake-up call to seek professional help."
Sloane expressed pride in his client, noting West "has used this process to seek out help and been released on bond to a treatment facility." Reports indicate West had recently completed a 30-day sobriety program prior to this arrest.
A Career Overshadowed by Personal Struggles
Delonte West's post-basketball life has been marked by repeated encounters with law enforcement and visible hardship:
- In November 2025, he was found unconscious and intoxicated on a roadside in the same Virginia area.
- He was arrested twice in 2024—once in June for fleeing police and violating release conditions, and again in November for misdemeanor trespassing.
- A 2020 video showing him panhandling in Texas went viral, prompting Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to offer assistance.
West was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2008 while still an active player and has since struggled with substance abuse and homelessness.
On the court, West was a first-round draft pick (24th overall) by the Boston Celtics in 2004. He played for the Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers—where he was a teammate of LeBron James—and the Dallas Mavericks over an eight-season career. He averaged 9.7 points and 3.6 assists per game across 432 contests.
The basketball community now watches as the latest legal chapter unfolds, hoping the former guard finds a path to stability and recovery.
