Former NBA player Shawn Kemp encounters legal trouble yet again, potentially facing jail time.
Former NBA star Shawn Kemp, known for his prodigious talents and a history of controversies, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault on Tuesday for a shooting incident in March 2023 at a Tacoma, Washington, mall parking lot.
Kemp admitted to shooting at two men inside a vehicle, an act that initially led to charges of first-degree assault with firearm enhancements. However, as part of a plea agreement in Pierce County Superior Court, prosecutors will recommend a nine-month term in the county jail when he is sentenced in August.
The initial charges were revised with the addition of another count of assault and a drive-by shooting charge. Fortunately, neither of the men in the Toyota 4Runner nor another vehicle were injured in the incident.
Kemp's legal team contends that he fired in self-defense after one of the men shot at him. The vehicle fled the scene before Tacoma police arrived, and an empty holster was found inside the abandoned 4Runner days later.
Shawn Kemp's attorney, Tim Leary, informed the Seattle Times that Kemp is committed to making amends and moving forward positively. The legal team also cited the self-defense aspect of the case in the negotiations.
Throughout his NBA career, which began in 1989 at the age of 19, Kemp struggled with cocaine addiction, fathering at least seven children with six different women. He was arrested in 2006 for drug possession in Washington. Despite these challenges, Kemp's weight increased during his career, but he still managed to dominate on the court.
In 1996, Kemp helped the Seattle SuperSonics reach the NBA Finals, averaging a career-high 21.2 points per game. He also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic.
The incident in question stemmed from a March 8, 2023, break-in of Kemp's truck. Employees at his marijuana dispensary, Kemp's Cannabis, were attending a concert in Seattle at the time. Among the stolen items were Kemp's cellphone and game-worn jerseys, including one shared with fellow basketball legend Gary Payton. Kemp used a phone tracking app to find the thieves, resulting in a confrontation in the mall parking lot.
As part of his plea agreement, Kemp is barred from possessing a firearm. In addition to the potential nine-month sentence, Kemp will spend one year in community custody and pay restitution.
"His plan is to tell the community about the dangers of gun violence, really to be a positive influence on youth," Aaron Kiviat, another of Kemp's attorneys, told the Seattle Times.
Both alleged victims in the case are currently serving prison sentences in other cases. One is serving a seven-year sentence, in part for a July 2023 shooting in which he mistakenly targeted the victim for Kemp. The same man recently filed a civil suit against Kemp stemming from the mall shooting.
Nicknamed the "Reign Man," Kemp earned $91,572,963 during his 15-year NBA career, which ended in 2004. He was a six-time All-Star and helped the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA finals in 1996.
In a reflection on his career, Kemp discussed the highs and lows during an episode of the All the Smoke podcast with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. "Going through some problems and stuff that I went through in my career also hurts you at the end," Kemp said. "But I think when you look at the good side of it, and you compare the numbers and stuff, I'm right there with some of the best ones."
- Shawn Kemp, the former NBA star known for his prodigious talents and a history of controversies, was found guilty of second-degree assault in a shooting incident at a Tacoma, Washington, mall parking lot in March 2023.
- Kemp's legal team argued that he fired in self-defense after one of the men shot at him, an incident that led to charges of first-degree assault with firearm enhancements.
- Despite his guilty plea, Kemp's attorney, Tim Leary, revealed that Kemp is committed to making amends and moving forward positively.
- As part of the plea agreement, Kemp will be recommended a nine-month term in the county jail when sentenced in August, but he will also spend an additional year in community custody.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers, two famous sports teams from California, were not directly involved in this case, but Kemp's legal troubles highlight the broader issue of crime and justice in sports, including sports-betting.
- In his reflections on his NBA career, Kemp discussed the highs and lows, acknowledging that although personal problems might have hurt him, his achievements still place him among the best basketball players.
