Former NBA star and NCAA All-American Ty Lawson was arrested in Colorado for allegedly stealing a bottle of vodka.
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Lawson, who spent six seasons with the Denver Nuggets, earned over $43 million in his eight-year NBA career. Despite his massive career earnings, the former first-round pick opted for the five-finger discount on a bottle of booze during a recent store run.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by FOX31, Lawson stole a $34 bottle of booze on July 16 from a store in Castle Rock, Colorado.
A liquor store employee said that Lawson took a bottle of Tito's from the store to a nearby restaurant without paying for it.
The shop owner also revealed she witnessed Lawson stumbling and believed he was intoxicated.
Police later confronted Lawson and said that he smelled "of an unknown alcoholic substance," according to the probable cause affidavit.
Former NBA Star Arrested For Stealing Booze
The report added that Lawson called a police officer an expletive, kicked the glass wall of his cell and spit on the floor during the pre-booking process, according to the affidavit.
Since the stolen booze was worth less than $300, Lawson was charged with shoplifting. The former NBA star was later released.
Lawson was an All-American at the University of North Carolina and helped the Tar Heels win the 2009 national championship. The 6-foot guard averaged 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists during the championship season.
Lawson was drafted 18th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he was traded on draft night to the Denver Nuggets, where he blossomed into a star.
Although he never reached All-Star status, Lawson was widely regarded as a Top 10 point guard during his stint in Denver.
Across six seasons in Denver, Lawson averaged 14.2 points and 6.6 assists. Lawson led Denver to four playoff appearances in six seasons. He finished 12th in MVP voting in 2012.
Lawson also spent time with the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards.
He averaged 12.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game over his NBA career. His best season came in 2013-14, when he averaged 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.
