Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas’ current legal woes would fit right in with the above storylines. He was arrested and indicted for operating an illegal gambling business. The 43-year-old, who averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals throughout his 11-season career, is accused of hosting illegal poker games at a rented mansion. He is currently set to be arraigned tomorrow in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in downtown Los Angeles.
Playing well, Arenas was selected 31st overall by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft. During his 12-year NBA career, Miller played for nine different franchises, including the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies. Over the course of his standout career, he became a three-time All-Star. In the 2006-07 season, he was named All-NBA second-team and All-NBA third team in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
In court documents, Arenas acknowledged that he ran the illegal gambling business from September 2021 through July 2022. He is charged with several counts including third-degree felony assault. These are for conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. If convicted, for each count the statutory maximum sentence is five years in federal prison.
This is not Arenas’s first brush with the law. In the 2009-2010 NBA season, he pleaded guilty to felony gun possession, which resulted in a 50-game suspension from the league. His rocky history raises questions about how this new legal threat will damage his reputation. It further casts a shadow on his legacy in the world of professional basketball.
The case raises some important issues that have long been goalposts for illegal gambling enterprises. It especially impacts former athletes who can’t cope with life after their athletic career ends. As this process moves forward, we hope that you will join us in watching closely to see what fate lies in store for Arenas.
