Samuel Dalembert, an ex-NBA player for the New York Knicks, was arrested on September 11 after allegedly hitting his girlfriend and her relative. Dalembert, 36, faces battery charges. He was released from Palm Beach County jail the following day. News sources did not name an attorney for Dalembert.

According to the arrest report, the alleged incident took place at Dalembert’s home on Northeast Orchid Bay Drive. Police were dispatched to the house after someone called 911 from that address. Officers who arrived at the scene described Dalembert as “aggressive.” He was reportedly not pleased that someone had called the police.

Dalembert’s girlfriend, who has two children with the former NBA star, and her relative initially told deputies that nothing was wrong, but later allegedly said that they did not want Dalembert to know that they had called the police because “they were scared [of] what he might do to them.”

The girlfriend claims that Dalembert became hostile after learning that she was leaving for Orlando with their children. According to the police report, the girlfriend had a swollen lip and bruises on her chin, left shoulder, and forehead. She told police that Dalembert had been “drinking excessively” and was acting strange.

When the girlfriend’s 26-year-old cousin tried to stop Dalembert from hitting her, the 7-foot tall ex-NBA player allegedly became violent and grabbed and choked him before throwing him on the ground. News sources did not report the extent of the unidentified cousin’s injuries.

Dalembert is a Haiti-born athlete whose professional career began in 2001 when he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was a shot blocker who averaged 7.7 points and 7.8 rebounds. Over the course of his 13-year NBA career, he played with the Philidelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and the New York Knicks. Dalembert’s NBA career ended during the 2014 season after he played 32 games for the New York Knicks.

Source: 9.12.16 Dalembert Battery.pdf