Category Archives: 1980’s
Tarpley, Roy
Charge: Driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest
Arrest Date: November 15, 1989
Franchise: Dallas Mavericks
Age 24
Details: Tarpley, who was ultimately banned from the NBA for repeated drug and alcohol violations, received his first career arrest after getting pulled over and scuffling with officers. It ultimately took six policemen to subdue him after his violent reaction. He was later arrested for DUI again two years later.
Jordan, Michael
Charge: Failure to appear in court
Arrest Date: July 6, 1989
Franchise: Chicago Bulls
Age 26
Details: Jordan was pulled over in Lexington, Kentucky for driving his Ferrari 90mph in a 60mph zone. He subsequently failed to appear to his scheduled court date, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest.
Ellis, Dale
Charge: Domestic assault and resisting arrest
Arrest Date: January 8, 1989
Franchise: Seattle Supersonics
Age 28
Details: Ellis was arrested at his home after police received a call from his wife accusing him of assault.
Washington, Duane
Charge: Cocaine possession
Arrest Date: September 25, 1988
Franchise: New Jersey Nets
Age 24
Bol, Manute
Charge: Driving while intoxicated
Arrest Date: August 28, 1988
Franchise: Golden State Warriors
Age 25
Details: After being pulled over for speeding, Bol failed a sobriety test and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. This was his second DUI arrest in less than two months, after being arrested in early July of 1988.
Bol, Manute
Charge: Driving while intoxicated, assault, and resisting arrest
Arrest Date: July 2, 1988
Franchise: Golden State Warriors
Age 25
Details: Bol was stopped by police at 5:20am in Maryland after being seen driving erratically. Bol then became argumentative and struck several troopers before being subdued and handcuffed.
Washburn, Chris
Charge: Firearm possession and billy club possession
Arrest Date: June 5, 1988
Franchise: Atlanta Hawks
Age 23
Williams, Kevin
Charge: Assault
Arrest Date: May 3, 1987
Franchise: Seattle Supersonics
Age 25
Details: Williams and Sonics teammate Dale Ellis were arrested outside of a Houston nightclub after an incident with nightclub employees. Two off-duty police officers working security spotted Williams punch an employee, and while handcuffing him Ellis grabbed one of the officers.
Ellis, Dale
Charge: Assault
Arrest Date: May 3, 1987
Franchise: Seattle Supersonics
Age 26
Details: Ellis and Sonics teammate Kevin Williams were arrested outside of a Houston nightclub after an incident with nightclub employees. Two off-duty police officers working security spotted Williams punch an employee, and while handcuffing him Ellis grabbed one of the officers.
Humphries, Jay
Charge: Cocaine trafficking
Arrest Date: April 16, 1987
Franchise: Phoenix Suns
Age 24
Details: Humphries, along with Suns teammates Grant Gondrezick and James Edwards, were indicted by a grand-jury in a wide-ranging criminal case involving felony cocaine purchases from a local-area business. As many as five other former Suns teammates were involved.
NBA Crime Library 