Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban Reaches Out To Former St. Joseph's University Star Delonte West To Get Him Help
DALLAS (CBS/CNN) -- Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told ESPN that he picked up former NBA and St. Joseph's University star Delonte West at a Dallas gas station Monday and is working with West's family and friends in an attempt to get the 37-year-old's life back on track. According to TMZ, Cuban has been attempting to get in contact with West after a photo emerged on social media of him panhandling at an intersection in Dallas last week.
CNN has not been able to independently verify the photo.
Mark Cuban and Dallas Mavericks were not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNN whilst CNN's attempts to reach West's family have so far been unsuccessful.
The Athletic's Sham Charania reports that Cuban reunited West with his mother in Dallas and now the former player has checked into a rehab facility in Florida.
A Delonte West update, as people close to the ex-NBA player going through very difficult personal struggle continue to offer help: Sources say Mavs owner Mark Cuban reunited West with his mother in Dallas on Monday — and now West has checked into rehab facility in Florida.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 29, 2020
West's travails -- which include bizarre behavior, money woes, a 2009 run-in with the law and a 2008 diagnosis of bipolar disorder that West later questioned -- have been well-documented since he joined the NBA in 2004.
Following a stellar junior season in which he led the Saint Joseph's Hawks to a 30-2 record and a deep run into the 2004 NCAA Tournament, the Boston Celtics took West late in the first round of the NBA Draft.
West played three seasons in Boston before becoming a journeyman, taking the court for the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics again and the Dallas Mavericks.
After his 2011-12 season with the Mavs, West spent time in the NBA G League and in professional leagues in China and Venezuela.
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