Former NBA champion and Memphis Grizzlies hero Tony Allen was arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday and charged with drug possession.
Allen, 43, widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the history of the NBA, is facing two drug charges. A car, driven by William Hatton, 33, of Memphis, was stopped on Interstate 555 about 50 miles northwest of Memphis.
A report from the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office said a package of leafy substance, later identified as marijuana, was found on Allen.
A search of the car found a cigarette box with a powdery substance, later identified as cocaine, according to the report.
Allen played for Memphis from 2011 to 2017. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2004 after playing at Oklahoma State. He finished his career with the New Orleans Pelicans.
In August 2023, Allen pleaded guilty in a federal case regarding an NBA health insurance and fraud scheme. He was sentenced to community service and three years supervised probation.
Former NBA champion and Memphis Grizzlies hero Tony Allen was arrested in Arkansas
Allen, pictured here in his mug shot, is considered an all-time NBA great
In 2021, Allen was charged with domestic assault and domestic vandalism after an incident that occured at his wife’s apartment. But early in 2022, those charges against him were dismissed.
Allen is best known in basketball for his time in Memphis. He played for the Grizzlies from 2010 to 2017 and earned six All-Defensive team selections.
The Grizzlies retired Allen’s No. 9 jersey in March, the third of the so-called Core Four to receive the honor. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph also have had their numbers retired.
The fourth member – Mike Conley – is still playing in the NBA, for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and was in action for the team in New York on Wednesday night, against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Conley scored eight points as the team’s 137-114 loss in the Big Apple.