Basketball player James Harden was detained during a traffic incident
James Harden, one of the most famous basketball players of our time, found himself at the center of a scandal on June 15 after he was detained during what appeared at first glance to be a routine traffic stop. The details of the incident are currently being clarified.
According to reports in the American media, the 36-year-old guard for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers was arrested in Houston on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm.
The incident occurred on Saturday around 3:40 a.m. Police stopped the basketball player’s car for a traffic violation. During the inspection, officers noticed a semi-automatic pistol in the passenger compartment, which was in plain sight without a holster or special case. Under Texas law, transporting a weapon in this manner can constitute a misdemeanor, after which the athlete was detained and taken to the police station.
After the paperwork was processed and a report was filed, Harden was released on $100 bail. At the same time, the court imposed a number of restrictions on him until the investigation is complete. Specifically, the basketball player is prohibited from purchasing, carrying, or possessing any firearms or ammunition. Additionally, he must refrain from using alcohol, marijuana, and other psychoactive substances without a medical prescription. To ensure compliance with these requirements, the athlete was ordered to undergo random testing for prohibited substances.
The scandal erupted at a very inopportune moment for the veteran. The NBA season recently concluded, with Cleveland reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, and Harden himself is soon to decide on his contract option worth over $42 million. Any legal issues could negatively impact both his reputation and negotiations regarding the continuation of his career.
At this time, neither the player himself, nor his representatives, nor the club have issued any official comments regarding the incident. The first court hearing in the case is scheduled for June 22, after which it will become clearer what consequences this story may have for one of the NBA’s brightest stars of the past decade, reports The Guardian.
As a reminder, FIFA will pay the Somali referee his full fee for the World Cup
The hero of the U.S. victory at the 2026 World Cup could have played for three different national teams
