Ex-NBA guard, NCAA All-American arrested for stealing vodka

Former University of North Carolina and NBA guard Ty Lawson was arrested last week following an incident at a liquor store in Castle Rock, Colorado. Authorities reported that Lawson allegedly took a bottle of Tito's vodka from the business without paying for it and walked to a nearby restaurant.

Police officers confronted Lawson shortly after the incident. According to a probable cause affidavit, officers observed that Lawson smelled of an unknown alcoholic substance. During the booking process that followed, the situation reportedly escalated as officials stated that Lawson used an expletive toward an officer, kicked the glass wall of his jail cell, and spit on the floor.

Lawson was booked on a charge of shoplifting items valued at less than $300 before being released from custody. This arrest marks another incident in the life of the former athlete who once held significant standing in the basketball world.

Before his professional career, Lawson was an NCAA All-American at the University of North Carolina. He played a key role in the Tar Heels' 2009 national championship run, posting strong averages of 16.6 points and 6.6 assists per game during that season. He was selected 18th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the Denver Nuggets.

Over the course of an eight-season NBA career, Lawson played for the Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards. His professional stats reflected his role as a capable playmaker, averaging 12.7 points and 6.0 assists per game during his time in the league. His peak production occurred during the 2013-2014 season with Denver, where he averaged 17.6 points and 8.8 assists per game.