Keon Clark: Exiled for Arrests, Deadbeat Dad

Keon Clark is one of a growing number of living examples showing how to go from super star to bargain basement thug in no time at all. One of the NBA basketball players to be exiled for his off court problems, Clark is no longer in the NBA.

During his time in the NBA he was traded from team to team like a human baton.  He had his best years in the beginning, during the time he still had professional representation. He fell into a trap suffered by many newly wealthy people, and fired his professional staff to hire a friend with no experience. Like many others before him his so-called friends helped bleed him of much of his money.

Clark started off in the NBA under the Orlando Magic.  He was traded nearly immediately to the Denver Nuggets. He kept getting shuffled around because of his on and off court problems and legal issues. He went from the Nuggets to the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns were the last team he played with in the NBA, though he saw no court time under them.  They ended up letting go from his contract because of his persistent legal troubles.  The NBA was so disgusted with his behavior that they exiled him from the league completely, not even allowing him to play in the D-League or European Leagues.

He has been order to pay $8,500 a month in child support, though his payment record is spotty at best since his release from the NBA. He has been in a steady stream of legal trouble for years, with violations that range from misdemeanor to full felony crimes.

He has been cited for multiple counts of marijuana possession and sale over the years.  He has also been cited twice for having a gun without a license, twice for possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana, driving under a suspended license, operating without insurance and driving under the influence.

Clark’s felony arrests and convictions keep him stranded in his home town of Danville, unable to travel over the pond to keep his career going in Europe after his exile from the NBA. He may have been famous for his 40 foot jump, but there is no way he’s jumping his way out of this bind.  He is still facing trial on some of his charges.