Delonte West is a retired American basketball player known for his time in the NBA. He played for teams like the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks. Beyond the NBA, West also played in China and the NBA G League. His basketball journey began in college at Saint Joseph's University.
July 26, 1983: Birth of Delonte West
Delonte Maurice West was born on July 26, 1983.
2003: Successful Season at Saint Joseph's University
In 2003, Delonte West had a standout junior year at Saint Joseph's University, averaging 18.9 points and 6.7 assists per game. The team achieved a 27-0 regular season record and reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
2004: Drafted by the Boston Celtics
Delonte West was drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 24th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft.
2005: Averaged 11.8 PPG
During the 2005-2006 season, Delonte West showcased his skills, achieving an average of 11.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
2005: Transition to Point Guard
Delonte West transitioned to the point guard position in his rookie season with the Celtics and was named the starting point guard at the beginning of the 2005-2006 season.
February 12, 2006: Selected for Rookie Challenge
On February 12, 2006, Delonte West was chosen to represent the Boston Celtics on the sophomore team for the Rookie Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend, replacing his former college teammate Jameer Nelson.
November 8, 2006: Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater
Delonte West hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against the Charlotte Bobcats on November 8, 2006.
March 3, 2007: Game-Tying Three Pointer
On March 3, 2007, Delonte West made a crucial game-tying three-pointer with only 4 seconds remaining in regulation against the New Jersey Nets, leading the Celtics to victory in overtime.
February 21, 2008: Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
Delonte West was involved in a three-team trade on February 21, 2008, which sent him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, reuniting him with his former Saint Joseph's teammate Dwayne Jones.
March 30, 2008: Season-High 11 Assists
On March 30, 2008, Delonte West achieved a season-high of 11 assists while playing against the Philadelphia 76ers.
April 27, 2008: Game-Winning Three-Pointer Against Wizards
Delonte West hit a game-winning three-pointer with 5.4 seconds remaining in a playoff game against the Washington Wizards on April 27, 2008, giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a 3-1 series lead.
September 12, 2008: Signs with Cleveland Cavaliers
Delonte West signed a three-year, $12.7 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on September 12, 2008.
2008: Delonte West Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
In 2008, Delonte West received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. Although he initially accepted the diagnosis, he later questioned it, suggesting that his struggles might stem from a combination of temporary depression and the pressures associated with being a professional basketball player.
March 2, 2009: Career-High Eight Steals
On March 2, 2009, Delonte West set a career-high with eight steals in a game against the Miami Heat.
September 17, 2009: Delonte West Arrested on Weapons Charges
On September 17, 2009, Delonte West was pulled over for a traffic violation while riding his motorcycle. During the stop, police officers discovered that he was carrying multiple firearms: a 9mm Beretta pistol in his waistband, a Ruger .357 Magnum revolver strapped to his leg, and a Remington 870 shotgun in a guitar case. West was arrested for carrying concealed weapons. He explained that he was transporting the firearms to a different location because his mother had told him that his cousins' children had found them in a closet at his home. He eventually entered a guilty plea to the weapons and traffic charges. Consequently, he received a sentence that included electronic monitoring, probation without supervision, 40 hours of community service, and mandatory psychological counseling.
2009: Averaged 8.8 Points per Game
During the 2009-2010 season, Delonte West averaged 8.8 points in 25 minutes per game for the Cavaliers, starting in only three games.
September 1, 2010: Signs with Boston Celtics
On September 1, 2010, Delonte West signed a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics to serve as a backup point guard to Rajon Rondo.
2010: Suspended for Ten Games
Delonte West was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-2011 NBA season due to pleading guilty to weapons charges in Maryland.
2010: Delonte West's First Marriage Ends in Divorce
Delonte West's first marriage ended in divorce in 2010.
2010: Cavaliers Lose in Conference Semifinals
The Cleveland Cavaliers, including Delonte West, lost in the Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs to the Boston Celtics in six games.
December 13, 2011: Signs with Dallas Mavericks
On December 13, 2011, Delonte West signed with the Dallas Mavericks.
2011: Delonte West Faces Financial Challenges During NBA Lockout
In 2011, during an NBA lockout, Delonte West faced financial difficulties. Despite having purchased homes for his parents and providing financial assistance to family members, he experienced economic hardship during this period. He applied for a job at Home Depot and worked at a furniture store to make ends meet.
July 26, 2012: Re-signs with Dallas Mavericks
Delonte West re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks on July 26, 2012.
October 15, 2012: Suspended Indefinitely
Delonte West was suspended indefinitely following an argument after a preseason loss on October 15, 2012.
October 29, 2012: Waived by Mavericks
Delonte West was waived by the Dallas Mavericks on October 29, 2012.
January 25, 2013: Joins Texas Legends
Delonte West was acquired by the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League on January 25, 2013.
March 16, 2013: Debuts for Texas Legends
Delonte West made his debut for the Texas Legends on March 16, 2013, scoring 10 points in a loss against the Santa Cruz Warriors.
October 2013: Signs with Fujian Xunxing
In October 2013, Delonte West signed a one-year deal with Fujian Xunxing of the Chinese Basketball Association.
2013: Delonte West Marries Caressa Madden
Delonte West married Caressa Madden in 2013.
July 2014: Joins Los Angeles Clippers for Summer League
Delonte West joined the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2014 NBA Summer League.
September 2014: Signs with Shanghai Sharks
Delonte West signed a one-year deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association in September 2014.
January 12, 2015: Signs with Guaros de Lara
Delonte West signed with Guaros de Lara of the Venezuelan Liga Profesional de Baloncesto on January 12, 2015, but he left the team without playing a game.
March 12, 2015: Returns to Texas Legends
Delonte West rejoined the Texas Legends on March 12, 2015.
June 2016: Photo of Delonte West Panhandling Sparks Concern
In June 2016, a photo of Delonte West panhandling in Temple Hills, Maryland, went viral, leading to speculation about his housing situation and mental health. He denied rumors of homelessness, claiming he was assisting a quadriplegic man.
January 2020: Video Shows Delonte West in Handcuffs on DC Highway
In January 2020, a video surfaced online showing Delonte West in handcuffs on a Washington, DC, highway.
September 28, 2020: Mark Cuban Helps Delonte West Enter Rehab
On September 28, 2020, after photos circulated showing Delonte West panhandling in Dallas, Texas, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban intervened. Cuban picked up West from a gas station, paid for drug rehabilitation treatment, and provided him with a hotel room.
2020: Delonte West and Caressa Madden Divorce
Delonte West and Caressa Madden divorced in 2020.
January 19, 2021: Delonte West Finds Job at Rehab Facility, Reunites with Mother
On January 19, 2021, reports emerged that Delonte West had secured a job at the rehab facility where he had been receiving treatment and had reunited with his mother, signaling positive steps towards recovery.
July 2022: Videos Show Delonte West Panhandling in Virginia
In July 2022, new videos surfaced online showing Delonte West panhandling again, this time in Virginia, indicating continued struggles despite previous interventions and support.
October 15, 2022: Delonte West Arrested in Virginia
On October 15, 2022, Delonte West was arrested again in Fairfax County, Virginia. He was taken into custody after being observed attempting to enter a vehicle that did not belong to him. Authorities charged him with four misdemeanor offenses related to the incident.
June 6, 2024: Delonte West Arrested Again in Virginia
On June 6, 2024, Delonte West was arrested once more in Fairfax County, Virginia, for violating the terms of his previous release and resisting arrest. Law enforcement officers discovered him unresponsive following a brief pursuit. He was given Narcan, but when that proved ineffective, he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he received a second dose that proved successful. Subsequently, he was released after being formally charged.