Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge, confirmed on Thursday that he tried to help former player Delonte West years ago by giving him a job with the organization. During Thursday's interview on on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Toucher & Rich," Ainge revealed that the team had given West a scouting job on the East Coast as he struggled with life after basketball.
"Delonte has worked for us for a couple of years at times doing some college scouting in the (Washington) D.C. and Philly area," Ainge said. “He’s taken advantage of them. I just think there’s a lot going on in his life. It’s very complicated, and I don’t really want to get into any of that. He accepted the job opportunities.”
On Monday night a heartbreaking video surfaced of the former Celtics guard being beaten and questioned by police in Washington D.C. According to Prince George's County Police Department, witnesses claim that West initiated the incident.
"Delonte has obviously some troubles and some trials that he's trying to deal with in his life, and I just hope that he can fix his life and get back on a good path," Ainge added.
In the aftermath of the disturbing footage, West has received an outpouring of support from his former teammates and coaches, as well as fans and media members alike. The NBA has also offered to assist West and his family in any way, as it has become abundantly clear that the 36-year old is in desperate need of help.
Delonte West Video Leads To Suspension Of Maryland Police Officer
The officer could be subjected to harsh penalties.
Delonte West has been struggling as of late and fans are both upset and worried about the former NBA player. Earlier this week, disturbing footage hit the internet of West being beaten up in the middle of a street while people drove past. There was also a video of West being handcuffed and interrogated by police. Since the release of the video, fans and former teammates have hit social media to give their opinion on the ordeal and are calling for measures to ensure West's safety moving forward.
According to Complex, a huge development in the incident has come to light. In a recent press conference, Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski spoke about how the department is doing an investigation into how the video made it to the internet. In the meantime, the officer who took the video has been suspended and could face harsh punishment if he was the one who released the footage.
For now, it remains to be seen whether or not West will be able to get the help he needs. His support system is in the midst of trying to help him to the best of their abilities. Hopefully, he is able to find some peace moving forward.
Delonte West Update: Witness Explains How Fight Started
New details regarding the disturbing Delonte West video.
On Monday night a heartbreaking video surfaced of former NBA player Delonte West being beaten and questioned by police in Washington D.C. TMZ Sports delivered new details about the incident on Tuesday, revealing that West reportedly initiated the fight by attacking a man with a glass bottle.
According to Prince George's County Police Department, the altercation took place at approximately 9:45 am on January 20th. West and the other man reportedly knew each other and had been involved in an argument before the events captured on camera.
Per TMZ Sports:
"[The witness] told officers that she observed the handcuffed male [West] first hit the other with a glass bottle and that man responded by striking the one who had thrown the bottle several times," cops say.
In the aftermath of the disturbing video, West has received an outpouring of support from his former teammates and coaches, as well as fans and media members alike. The NBA has also offered to assist West and his family in any way, as it has become abundantly clear that the 36-year old is in desperate need of help.
West spent three seasons at St. Joseph's before making the leap to the NBA in 2004. He was selected 24th overall by the Boston Celtics and also spent time with the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks. West has been seen looking disheveled and homeless multiple times across Maryland and Texas since retiring from the league, but nothing quite as disturbing as the video that surfaced this week.
Former Saint Joseph's head coach, Phil Martelli, was among those who vowed to help West get back on track.
Delonte West Video Leads To Swift Reaction From Sports Community
Pray for Delonte West.
Delonte West has been struggling as of late. Every few months, a new video comes out of West sitting on the streets, looking disheveled and defeated. West used to play in the NBA so his recent state has come as a shock to fans around the league. It's well-documented that West has suffered from mental illness and has been trying to get help for a while. What has been happening with West is truly sad and heartbreaking for those who have both watched and played with him.
Just yesterday, more footage came out which showed West in a vulnerable position. There was even one clip where West was beaten in the middle of the street. These clips were quite disturbing and eventually led to a call for action on social media. Now, people close to the sports community are rallying around West to see if they can get him some help.
It's unclear as to what can be done for West although many are hoping he can find peace and get back to being himself. You never want to see another human being become so vulnerable, especially when they used to have it all.
Stay tuned for updates on this situation as we will be sure to bring you the latest.
Delonte West Allegedly Beaten & Handcuffed In Multiple Videos: Report
This might be the worse condition we've ever seen former-NBA player, Delonte West in.
Delonte West began his professional sports career after being drafted 24th overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. West earned his place in the league as one of its most productive point guards during his stint in the NBA. Unfortunately, since not returning to the NBA since the 2011-2012 season, he's had one of the most disturbing falls from grace the sports realm has witnessed in quite some time.
Harry How/Getty Images
In 2016, there were reports of the 6'3 guard allegedly panhandling and asking pedestrians for money while he was on the street. More recently photos of the former-Cleveland Cavaliers guard have many questioning whether if he is homeless or not and even more recent footage of West dancing underneath a bridge might have verified those allegations for those wondering.
Now, two separate videos of the 36-year-old have surfaced of him being pummeled in the middle of a traffic-riddled street and another of him handcuffed, sitting on a curb, and being interrogated by what appears to be law enforcement officials.
In the video posted by @N90sKindOfWorld on Twitter, West can be seen curled up in the fetal position as a man in a leather jacket stands over him and repeatedly kicks and punches him in the head.
In the second video, a disoriented and possibly inebriated Delonte West can be seen handcuffed on a sidewalk and being asked about the altercation that took place where he was being beaten. West claims that the man approached him with a gun but then went on an outburst led by him yelling, "I don't give a f*ck," and inaudibly ranting about the president.
This is possibly the worse physical and mental condition the masses have seen Delonte West in. While his troubles with mental illness have been openly documented, he has yet to receive the professional help he requires and deserves. Hopefully, West will be able to get the attention he needs sooner rather than later. Check out the video of Delonte West's disturbing rant in the video provided below.
