Bernard King played 14 seasons in the NBA for teams such as the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Washington Bullets. The 6’7” forward was the four-time NBA All-Star and won the scoring title in 1985. However, his career was plagued with controversies from drug abuse to violence against women.
Before joining the NBA was arrested three times for traffic rules violations and marijuana possession that resulted in just $2 in fines. King cut short his college basketball career to enter the NBA to deal with legal complications.
Why Was Bernard King Arrested?
In his NBA career, he was arrested thrice for burglary, possession of drugs, and forced sexual assault. Despite his last 18 controversial months before joining the NBA, he was picked 7th overall by the Nets. One month later, he was charged with burglary for allegedly trying to steal a T.V. from a UT athletics building.
In 1978, NYPD arrested King while he was sleeping in the car, intoxicated with the possession of a small amount of cocaine. His charges were later dropped. During his Utah Jazz days, King was charged with forced sexual assault in 1980. After taking multiple lie detector tests to prove he had no recollection of the night’s event, he received a fine and a suspended sentence.
His legal troubles didn’t end with his NBA career. In August 1994, an intoxicated King was arrested in his Manhattan apartment for assaulting a 22-year-old woman. According to reports, King choked the woman, who needed treatment for bruises on her neck.
In 2004, King was arrested for assaulting his wife on domestic battery charges. According to the Police, King’s wife had bruises and bleeding on her face as she was allegedly pushed down to the floor three times. The charges were dropped, and King agreed to marriage counseling sessions.
Is Bernard King Still Facing Any Legal Trouble?
Bernard King is not facing any legal troubles, as he was last arrested 20 years ago. After working in the 1979 film “Fast Break” and appearing in an episode of “Miami Vice,” King stayed away from the entertainment business.
However, he made a few appearances for NBA TV and the MSG Network during Walt Frazier’s unavailability. Bernard King had an abusive childhood and faced racism growing up. In 2013, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
