Charges dropped against ex-NBA guard Ben Gordon after Stamford disturbance
Record sealed after completion of probation; authorities say the case stemmed from mental health struggles.
STAMFORD, Conn. — Multiple criminal charges were dropped Monday against former NBA guard Ben Gordon, who was arrested in 2023 after authorities say he began behaving erratically in a Stamford juice shop. Gordon, who helped lead the University of Connecticut to the NCAA national championship in 2004, faced weapons and threatening charges that will now be erased from his record. The charges were dismissed after he completed a probation program approved last year by a state judge.
His attorney, Darnell Crosland, said Gordon has been dedicated to mental health treatment since the arrest and credited the former player with teaching him about balancing daily stresses of life. "Mental health is really important and the court saw his commitment to doing the right thing in life and that is why they sealed his record and dismissed all of his charges," Crosland said in a statement. "I am blessed to have been his lawyer."
Authorities said the arrest occurred on Gordon's 40th birthday, just hours after UConn won its fifth NCAA men's basketball championship. Police said several 911 callers reported that Gordon was acting aggressively and bizarrely, and he continued to act erratically when officers arrived. Police forced him to the ground and handcuffed him outside the store. Gordon has talked and written about his bipolar disorder and depression, which he said have played roles in several arrests over the years. The third overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, Gordon played 11 seasons in the league. As a rookie for the Bulls, he won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award. After five seasons in Chicago, he went on to play for Detroit, Charlotte and Orlando.
The case’s resolution comes after Gordon completed a probation program approved by a state judge last year, leading to the sealing of his record and the dismissal of all charges. The development follows Gordon’s public discussions about mental health and his efforts to manage the stresses associated with a high-profile professional sports career. While the legal matter has concluded, investigators have noted the broader context of mental health awareness and support for athletes in similar situations.