Bodycam footage from the January arrest of former NBA point guard Rajon Rondo has been released, showing officers mentioning his basketball career on separate occasions.
Rondo, who officially retired from his 16-year NBA career in April 2024, was pulled over for driving without a visible license plate on his Tesla. An individual had called in a report that the driver of the Tesla was behaving erratically.
Rondo had his 12-year-old son in the car, which immediately escalated the situation.
Video released by TMZ shows officers mentioning his NBA career which spanned 16 years with 8 different teams.
“He’s a former basketball player. He played for a bunch of NBA teams,” one of the officers says in the footage before adding, “Not that I care, I’m just telling you.”
Interesting comment. If he didn’t care, why would he “just tell” the other officer?
Cops Discuss Rajon Rondo’s NBA Career During Arrest
It should be noted that the officers appear to have picked up on who they were dealing with on their own. To his credit, Rajon Rondo did not seem to play the ‘Do you know who I am card?’
At another point during the arrest, which took place in Jackson County, Indiana, an officer mentions basketball to him directly.
“You played in the NBA, didn’t you, buddy?”
The former Boston Celtics point guard confirmed that he had.
Rondo was then arrested for “unlawful possession of a firearm, drug paraphernalia and marijuana” but struck a plea deal last month.
Rondo agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of unlawful carrying of a handgun and had the other charges dropped. He was hit with a suspended jail sentence of 180 days.
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Past Issues
The charges Rajon Rondo faced – particularly in regards to the illegal firearm – could have resulted in a much worse sentence. Especially considering his past.
Rondo was involved in an incident in 2022 where a woman alleged he threatened her with a gun at her home in Louisville, leading to an emergency protective order being granted against him.
He allegedly became aggressive after a dispute over video games, culminating in him brandishing a firearm. The protective order would later be dismissed.
Rajon Rondo carved out a distinguished NBA career. Distinguished enough to have police officers recognize him during an arrest.
He was known for his exceptional playmaking skills, winning two NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Rondo was also a four-time All-Star.
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