Author: Monojit Mandal
Former NBA star Ben Gordon pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of firearms and threats after a brawl at a juice company in Connecticut. The incident occurred when police reacted to allegations of Gordon’s erratic behavior, which resulted in his arrest and subsequent handcuffing.
Ben Gordon appeared at Stamford Magistrates’ Court, accompanied by his lawyer, Darnell Crosland, when the allegations were made. After the hearing, Crosland revealed in an interview that Gordon has been struggling with his mental health and finding his purpose in life since he retired from the NBA in 2015 after an 11-year career. Although Crosland didn’t go into specific details, he emphasized Gordon’s continued enthusiasm and determination, despite the difficulties of moving into a post-basketball existence. Crosland also emphasized the former player’s current emphasis on his family.
In addition, according to Crosland, he may seek involvement in a detour program to resolve the criminal charges. Gordon is due back in court next month for further proceedings.
The former player was arrested in April, just after his 40th birthday and shortly after the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team won its sixth NCAA title. The police received many 911 calls about his hostile and strange behavior.
Police officers arrived and noticed Gordon’s continued misconduct, forcing them to arrest him and handcuff him outside the Juice Kings store in Stamford. A folding knife was found in his pocket, as well as a stun gun and brass knuckles in his backpack.
Gordon has had legal problems in the past. In October, he was accused of abusing his son at LaGuardia airport in New York. In addition, he was charged with a misdemeanor in Chicago in November after allegedly assaulting a McDonald’s security guard. According to press sources, Gordon pleaded guilty in both cases, and the resulting plea bargains avoided jail time.
Gordon spoke frankly about his difficulties with bipolar disorder and despair, identifying these illnesses as causes of his previous incarceration.
He spent his NBA career with different clubs, most notably the Chicago Bulls, when he won the league’s sixth man award as a rookie in 2004-2005; he also played for the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats and the Orlando Magic.