There have been many NBA players who have been charged with sexual harassment and assault. Many star players have been accused of crimes, but the sad reality is that these charges, unless turned into convictions, do not harm a player’s NBA status. Even after the arrest reports became public, many players have maintained big careers, earning millions of dollars in the sport. Even popular sports shows often do not address these matters, and superstars go on to live their lives unscathed. In this article, we will tell you about some NBA players who have been accused of sexual assault or arrested for crimes.
5) Eddie Johnson
Eddie Johnson did not receive any minimal consequences for his actions. He was arrested for several crimes, including cocaine possession, drunken disorder, theft, robbert, assault on a police officer, shoplifting, sexual assault of a minor, and rape. From being a two-time All-Star with the Atlanta Hawks, he became a devastating person. According to a report, Johnson’s rap sheet included more than 100 arrests and was regularly in and out of jail. He has admitted to having drug addiction and was later expelled from the NBA in 1987.
Eddie was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting and molesting an eight-year-old girl and was awaiting trial on charges of raping another woman. In 2008, he was again arrested for charges of sexual assault, indecent and lascivious molestation of a minor, as well as trespassing into the house of an eight-year-old minor. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole and died in 2020 at the age of 65 while serving his sentence.
4) Chauncey Billups
From 1997 onwards, Chauncey Billups’ sexual harassment allegations started appearing in the news. In November 1997, the girlfriend of NBA player Antonie Walker, Jane Doe, was allegedly raped by Billups, Ron Mercer and Walker. She lodged a complaint with the police and a rape test kit revealed injuries on her cervix, rectum and throat, as well as bruises on her back and semen inside her body.
Chauncey Billups was not convicted or even arrested because no criminal charges were filed. He and Mercer settled a civil lawsuit in 2000. Billups retired as a five-time NBA All-Star and the 2004 NBA Finals MVP. His jersey number 1 was retired by the Detroit Pistons and will likely be entered into the Hall of Fame.
He is currently the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. When he got the coaching job in the NBA, this was not well received by many fans. The franchise was questioned by several journalists about whether they considered his rape allegation before offering him the coaching job, but they refrained from commenting on the matter while responding diplomatically.
3) Bernard King
Bernard King has been arrested for many crimes, including theft, driving under the influence, and marijuana possession. He admitted to being an alcoholic and has often been charged with cocaine possession. Bernard was later arrested on five sexual assault charges, including three charges of forced sodomy. In January 1980, King was accused of forcible sodomy and then convicted for a misdemeanor of attempted forcible sexual assault of a Utah native.
The NBA and the Utah Jazz franchise stated that his status with the game and team was “unchanged” and that he would resume his career once his sentence was over. He currently works as a part-time broadcaster for NBA TV as well as the MSG Network, serving as a color commentator on some occasions when Walt Frazier is on vacation. Bernard entered the Hall of Fame as a four-time NBA All-Star. He is one of the best players in the New York Knicks franchise history. He also won the scoring title in 1985.
2) Karl Malone
Karl Malone is definitely the most hated basketball player, even after his retirement. When he was honored by the Utah Jazz with a statue, even after learning of the crimes he committed, the journalists condemned the franchise. He is a two-time NBA MVP, a 14-time NBA All-Star and a Hall of Fame member. Malone was not present at the 75th anniversary celebration when his name was called and he has not made many public appearances.
At the age of 20, Malone impregnated a 13-year-old girl named Gloria Bell in Louisiana. The girl’s family did not press charges against him and his career continued as normal. But they asked Malone to provide basic monetary support so that the 15-year-old Gloria could take care of her two-year-old son, to which Karl refused. He was later asked by a district judge to provide child support.
The child grew up to be Demetress Bell, who was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2008 NFL Draft. After initially denying his paternity, blood tests later revealed that there is a 99.3% chance that Demetress is Malone’s son. Malone has been found guilty of several charges, including contempt of court, because he refused to disclose his assets and give a DNA blood test.
1) Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was charged with an alleged rape case and this is still the most high-profile case in the league. He was accused of raping a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado in 2004 and the case soon made international headlines. He was not only the face of the Lakers at the time but also one of the top players in the NBA. After the case was all over the news, fans, the media and his teammates viewed him differently.
Bryant was accused of raping the girl in his hotel room. After initially denying that he had any sexual encounter with her, Kobe later admitted to having had intercourse but insisted that it was consensual. Police found bruises around her neck, to which Bryant admitted to groping her aggressively during the intercourse. Her blood was also found on his T-shirt and he was charged and arrested after that. Kobe was soon dismissed after the criminal case against him was dropped because the victim refused to testify. Later, she filed a civil suit against Bryant, which was later settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
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