What Happened to NBA Player Delonte West?

Delonte West was an NBA player who had a promising career. However, he mysteriously disappeared from the league and was last seen in 2016.

Early life and family

Delonte Maurice West was born on July 26, 1983, in Washington, D.C., to Delonte and Diane West. He has two brothers, Darius and Dmitri, and a sister, Deanna. West’s mother worked as a government employee in the U.S. Department of Labor, while his father was a painter. His paternal grandfather was Martin Luther King Jr.’s first cousin. growing up,West’s family struggled financially and he would often have to move homes every few months due to Eviction

High school career

Delonte Maurice West (born July 26, 1983) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent He played High School basketball for Eleanor Roosevelt high school in Greenbelt, Maryland. As a freshman in 1999–2000, he helped lead the team to a 28–1 record and the Maryland 4A state championship The next year, as a sophomore, he averaged 18.9 points per game and 5.7 assists per game as the Raiders went 25–3 and won back-to-back State Championships In his junior year (2001–02), West averaged 27.6 points and 7.5 assists per game while leading Roosevelt to a 27–2 record and its third consecutive 4A state championship That season he was named the Washington Post’s All-Met basketball player of the Year, becoming only the second junior to receive that honor (joining Kevin Durant).

West played AAU Basketball for D½/Ballhouse in the summer of 2000 alongside future NBA players Gerry McNamara, Jameer Nelson, Rasual Butler, Kyle Lowry and Keith Bogans. In 2001, Ballhouse won AAU’s 17-and-under National Championship [8]

In September 2001, West committed to St. Joseph’s University on full athletic scholarship

College career

Delonte West played college basketball for Saint Joseph’s University. In his junior year, he was named Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball player of the Year. As a senior, he helped lead his team to a perfect 27–0 regular season record, and was named National Player of the Year by The Sporting News. West is one of only five players in NCAA Division I history to average at least 20 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds per game in a season.

NBA career

Delonte West is an American Professional Basketball player who last played for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League He played high school basketball for Eleanor Roosevelt high school in Greenbelt, Maryland. He was then recruited by Saint Joseph’s University. In his junior year, he helped lead the Hawks to a perfect 27–0 regular season record and their first-ever #1 ranking in the AP poll. His outstanding play led him to be named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American. After his junior year, he declared for the 2004 NBA draft and was selected 24th overall by the Boston Celtics

West enjoyed a successful rookie season with the Celtics, becoming only the fourth rookie in team history to appear in all 82 games while averaging 9.8 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game off the bench. He became a regular starter early in his second season with the Celtics and helped lead them to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons However, after two seasons with Boston, his role with the team became increasingly limited and he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics midway through his third season in return for Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West was traded by Seattle along with Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox to Oklahoma City on February 21, 2011 as part of a six-player deal that saw Rashard Lewis traded from Orlando to Washington.

West spent less than a year with Oklahoma City before being waived on December 22, 2011. He then signed with the Dallas Mavericks on December 27, 2011 but was traded back to Boston on January 6, 2012 as part of a three-team trade that also saw Indiana receive Dahntay Jones from Dallas while Boston sent forward Brandan Wright to Dallas. West finished out the season with Boston before signing with Cleveland on July 12, 2012 where he spent one season before being released by the team on October 29, 2013 due largely to injuries which had hampered him throughout his career up until that point

Mental health issues

Mental health issues are often viewed as taboo, and many people are reluctant to discuss them openly. This can be especially true for high-profile individuals, who may feel like they have to maintain a certain image in order to succeed. NBA player Delonte West is one such individual who has struggled with mental health issues throughout his career.

West first began showing signs of mental illness during his time with the Boston Celtics when he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Despite receiving treatment, West continued to struggle with his mental health and was eventually traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010. His difficulties became even more public when, during the 2011 NBA Finals he was photographed shirtless and barefoot in the middle of a street.

Since then, West’s mental health has continued to deteriorate. He has been photographed wandering around barefoot and disheveled on multiple occasions, and he was even reportedly homeless for a period of time. In 2019, West sat down for an interview with Sports Illustrated in which he opened up about his struggles with mental illness. He spoke candidly about how bipolar disorder has affected his life and career, and admitted that he is not sure if he will ever be able to play basketball again.

While West’s story is certainly troubling, it is also a reminder that Mental Health issues should not be ignored or stigmatized. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek professional help.

Arrests and legal troubles

West was arrested in 2009 and again in 2012 on weapons charges. In 2016, he was photographed walking barefoot and shirtless on the side of the road, and in 2017 he was reportedly found sleeping on a park bench. In 2018, it was reported that West had been working at a Maryland JCPenney store for $9 an hour.

Drug addiction

It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we report Delonte West, former NBA player has died at the age of 35.
Delonte West was a first-round pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics He played for the Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks
West’s career was plagued by injuries and off-the-court issues. In 2009, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and possession of an open container of alcohol. In 2010, he was involved in a fight with another NBA Player Von Wafer.
In September 2016, photos and videos of West barefoot and shirtless in the middle of a street circulated on social media leading many to speculate that he was suffering from a mental health crisis.
What followed was a downward spiral for West. In 2018, he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting a man with a pipe. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight months in jail followed by three years’ probation.
In January 2020,West was involved in a car crash and taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
It is unclear what led to West’s death. No cause of death has been released at this time.

Homelessness

According to reporting from The Athletic, former NBA player Delonte West is currently homeless and living out of a van. The fall from grace for the 37-year-old has been dramatic, as he was once a first-round pick who enjoyed a successful career in the league.

How did it come to this? There are a number of contributing factors, but one major one appears to be mental health issues. West has long battled with bipolar disorder, and he has spoken openly about how it has affected his life both on and off the court. In recent years he has struggled to stay on his medication and has had several public meltdowns.

West’s personal life has also been tumultuous. He has seven children with five different women, and he has been embroiled in a number of legal disputes. Most recently, he was arrested for punching a man who allegedly made lewd comments about his family.

It’s unclear what the future holds for West, but his story is a tragedy nonetheless. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change in life, and how mental illness can impact even the most successful people.

Recovery and current status

West is currently living in Texas with his parents and is reportedly doing much better. He has been sober for over a year now and is actively seeking employment. In December 2020, it was reported that West had landed a job with Walmart.

Legacy

Delonte West was once one of the most promising young players in the NBA. He was a key member of the Boston Celtics team that won the NBA Championship in 2008, and he was widely respected for his hard work and dedication to the game. However, over the past few years, West’s career has been plagued by injuries and personal problems, and he has struggled to keep up with the demands of professional basketball

Many people believe that West’s downfall began when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010. West has openly admitted that he struggled to adjust to life in Cleveland, and he often clashed with Cavaliers Head Coach Byron Scott. In 2012, West was arrested for possession of a concealed weapon, and he was subsequently suspended from the Cavaliers. After a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks West returned to the Cavaliers in 2013, but his off-court problems continued to limit his playing time

West appeared in just eight games for the Cavaliers during the 2013-14 season, and he was waived by the team in January 2014. Since then, West has had several stints in rehabilitation facilities and he has struggled to find steady work in the NBA. In September 2016, it was reported that West had been living out of his car for several months.

Despite his fall from grace, there are many people who still believe in Delonte West’s talent and potential. He remains one of the most popular players among basketball fans and he continues to receive support from former teammates and coaches. only time will tell if West will be able to make a comeback in the NBA, but even if he never steps foot on an NBA court again, his legacy as a fierce competitor and a talented player will continue to live on.