Chris Webber

In 1998 Chris Webber who at that time played for the Washington Wizards was arrested after a routine traffic stop. When pulled over Webber had no registration or identification. When an officer attempted to remove Webber from the car Webber resisted and was pepper sprayed in the face. Webber was arrested and his car was impounded and searched. Police found traces of marijuana and the stub of a joint. Webber was charged with several misdemeanors including assault, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and driving under the influence. Webber’s driving privileges were suspended in Maryland for 120 days for refusing to submit a blood sample for testing to prove he was driving under the influence of marijuana. Webber pleaded no contest to the charges and they were eventually dropped.

In 2002 Webber was charged with criminal contempt of court for misleading a grand jury during an investigation into improper payments from boosters at the University of Michigan. Webber and four other players were accused of accepting money from a school booster while playing with the Michigan Wolverines. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor penalty after completion of 300 hours of community service. The NBA suspended him for eight games. Five of the games were for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy and three games were for perjury to a grand jury.

Chris Webber: Marijuana, Assault and Resisting Arrest

Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III, or C-Webb to his fans, is an outstanding power forward and center.  He has been in hot demand as a player since his high school days, where he was one of the most recruited players in Michigan. C-Webb is celebrated for his on court skill and leadership, but his off court antics have caused him trouble over the years in spite of his talent.

C-Webb has played for five teams during the course of his professional NBA career, and has been winning awards for his playing since he was in school.  He has been an NBA All Star five times, an All-NBA first teamer, the NBA Rookie Of The Year, rebounding champ and more.  His high school even retired his high school jersey, #44, in his honor.

He was the #1 NBA draft pick in 1993. He was snatched up by the Orlando Magic, and traded right away to the Golden State Warriors.  His first year in the NBA was so good he won the NBA Rookie Of The Year award.  In spite of his on court successes, he exercised a clause in his contract and asked to be traded because of conflicts with the coach.

He was traded to the Washington Bullets (now known as the Washington Wizards).  He spent three seasons with the Wizards, landing a spot on the NBA All Stars in 1997 while he was with them.  Even though he led the wizards to the playoffs, he was still traded to the Sacramento Kings.  C-Webb was reluctant to sign the deal, seeing the Kings as a team that always lost.

Under his on court leadership, the Kings saw a huge turn around in their playing status and style, becoming an exciting team to watch and a contender for competition.  He was named to the NBA All Stars several times while he was with the Kings.  It was while he was with the Kings that he suffered a knee injury that nearly sidelined his career, costing him nearly a full season of play while he was in rehab after surgery for a micro fracture.

After the knee injury, the Sacramento Kings traded Webber to the Philadelphia 76ers.  The knee injury didn’t end his career, but it cost him mobility and jumping capabilities, which caused him to become a second scoring option and have less court time, often getting pulled before the 4th quarter.  This affected his attitude, on and off the court. He started casting around for a trade, and even missed Fan Appreciation Night with Allen Iverson, apologizing to fans later for his behavior.

When the 76ers waived rights to Webber, making him a free agent, he signed on with the Detroit Pistons. For Webber, playing for Detroit was fulfilling a life long dream, and returned him to his home turf of Michigan.  With Webber on board, the Pistons’ record began to improve dramatically in the 2007 season.  With Webber on board they now have a shot at the playoffs next year.

Over the years his talent on the court has managed to keep his legal trouble from taking the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean he has been trouble free.  His first brush with the law came while he was with the Wizards in 1998. He was arrested for marijuana possession, assault and resisting arrest after being pulled over for speeding.  He pled no contest and the charges eventually got dropped completely.

He has also been fined $500 by US Customs for traveling with marijuana in his possession, which cost him his endorsement deal with Fila sportswear. Webber has also been charged with lying to a grand jury about a possible numbers gambling operation.  In the end that charge didn’t stick, but he was charged with accepting money while still an amateur.

His off court legal troubles have cost him a total of 8 games in the NBA.  In spite of this, he has still been a key player and lead scorer for his entire career.  He has not yet taken a team to the playoffs, but his new position with the Pistons shows the most promise for making that happen before his career ends.