Authorities’ felony drug case against ex-NBA player falls apart in Arizona
KINGMAN, Ariz. -- A felony drug case against former NBA player Samaki Walker has evaporated after lab tests on drugs found in his car came back negative.
The 35-year-old resident of Woodland Hills, Calif., was eating marijuana in his Mercedes-Benz during a routine traffic stop in Kingman on July 28, the Arizona Department of Public Safety alleged. Authorities seized 0.62 grams of pot with 268 prescription pills and eight vials of possible liquid steroids.
Prosecutor Greg McPhillips said that lab reports came back negative and that nothing in the pills or vials was illegal in Arizona. McPhillips charged Walker with simple misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Defense lawyer Billy Sipe said that his client was playing professional basketball in Syria and that he is confident the case can be resolved through the mail. Sipe said resolution probably would involve a guilty plea, no jail time, a fine of a few hundred dollars, drug screening and possibly counseling.
Walker starred at the University of Louisville before being in the first round of the 1996 NBA draft by Dallas. His NBA career ended in 2006 after stints with the Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers.
