NBA Star Delonte West's Career Highlights
Curated by
cdteliot
3 min read
6,832
4
Delonte West, a former NBA player known for his tenacious playing style, had a promising career derailed by personal struggles and mental health issues. The talented guard, who played for teams like the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, has faced significant challenges in his post-basketball life.
Delonte's Early Life and Rise
en.wikipedia.org
Delonte West was born on July 26, 1983, in Washington, D.C., where he grew up in poverty and faced significant mental health challenges from a young age, including depression and multiple suicide attempts.
1
Basketball became his refuge, and he excelled at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland, earning multiple honors, including Player of the Year.2
1
West then attended Saint Joseph's University, where he played alongside future NBA player Jameer Nelson. In his junior season, West averaged 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 51.0% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range.3
1
He helped lead the team to an undefeated regular season and an Elite Eight appearance in the 2003 NCAA Tournament before declaring for the NBA Draft.1
3 sources
Delonte West: The Highs and Lows of His NBA Career
abcnews.go.com
Delonte West was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 24th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft.
1
Over his 8-year NBA career, he played for the Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks, averaging 9.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.2% from three-point range.1
2
West was known for his versatility, capable of playing both point guard and shooting guard, as well as his tenacious defense.2
He had his best seasons with the Cavaliers, where he started alongside LeBron James and averaged 11.7 points per game in 2008-09.3
In the 2009 playoffs, West raised his game, averaging nearly 14 points per contest while drawing tough defensive assignments.2
After his NBA career ended, West had stints playing internationally in China for the Fujian Xunxing and Shanghai Sharks, as well as in the NBA D-League (now G League) for the Texas Legends in 2013.4
5
However, his professional career was cut short due to personal issues and legal troubles off the court.5 sources
Battling Bipolar and Hardship
forbes.com
Delonte West has publicly struggled with mental health issues throughout his NBA career and in retirement. In 2008, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels.
1
2
However, West later disputed this diagnosis, attributing his issues to depression and the stresses of the NBA lifestyle.3
West's mental health challenges led to erratic behavior on and off the court, including a notable arrest in 2009 for carrying three loaded guns during a traffic stop.3
4
Despite earning a significant NBA salary, West faced financial difficulties post-retirement. In 2011, during the NBA lockout, he even applied for a job at Home Depot.1
In recent years, photos and videos of West panhandling, experiencing homelessness, and dealing with substance abuse issues have gone viral, highlighting his ongoing struggles.1
5
2
In 2020, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban picked up West at a gas station and helped him enter a rehab facility in Florida.2
4
West's story sheds light on the importance of mental health support for athletes both during and after their careers.4
5 sources
Related
how has Delonte West's mental health journey influenced his current life
what role did substance abuse play in Delonte West's struggles post-retirement
how did Delonte West's arrest in 2009 affect his NBA career
Keep Reading
The Rise and Fall of NBA Prospect Kwame Brown
Kwame Brown, the first player to be drafted number one overall straight out of high school, spent 12 seasons in the NBA after being selected by the Washington Wizards in 2001. Despite his high draft position, Brown's performance led many analysts to label him as one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
11,459
The Life of Legendary Quarterback Colt Brennan
Colt Brennan was a record-setting quarterback who played college football for the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors from 2005 to 2007. He finished his career with numerous NCAA records and accolades, including a third-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting in 2007.
9,897
Wyatt Russell: A Career Pivot to Acting
Wyatt Hawn Russell is an American actor and former ice hockey player, known for his roles in the horror film *Overlord*, AMC's *Lodge 49*, and the Disney+ series *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*. Born on July 10, 1986, in Los Angeles, California, to actors Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Wyatt has successfully transitioned from a promising hockey career to a notable presence in Hollywood.
4,196