By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Former NBA champion Tony Allen was arrested during a traffic stop in Poinsett County, local authorities confirmed.
“During the contact, a deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, leading him to direct both individuals to exit the car,” was mentioned in the official report referring to the vehicle driven by William Hatton with the former player as a passenger.
In the ensuing police search, a package of marijuana was found on Allen, and a cigarette box was located on his seat with a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine. The officers also found various drug paraphernalia containing marijuana, which Hatton confessed was his.
They were both taken to the local Detention Center and charged with possession of meth or cocaine and possession of marijuana. Hatton faces additional charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane change.
Allen played for the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and New Orleans Pelicans, with his NBA career lasting from 2004 to 2018 and including a championship run with the C’s in 2008. A three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team with three more nods in the Second Team, he established himself among the best defensive players in league history. Last March, his jersey #9 was retired by the Grizzlies, following former teammates Zach Randolph in 2021 and Marc Gasol in 2024.
Back in 2023, he pleaded guilty to his involvement in a federal case of health insurance, was sentenced to community service, and three years of supervised probation.