Former NBA champion Isaiah Rider reportedly was arrested earlier this month after he allegedly violated a court order, a source told TMZ Sports on Thursday.
Isaiah Rider Interfered With Judicial Proceedings
Law enforcement sources told TMZ Sports that Rider was arrested on Dec. 4 and charged with one count of interfering with judicial proceedings.
Rider’s wife, Vanessa, filed for a protective order in July 2025, according to court documents obtained by the media outlet. She alleged in the application that Rider was aggressive on multiple occasions.
Vanessa claims that Isaiah directed this comment at both her and her 15-year-old son: “You’re gonna get your ass slapped. Shut the f—k up before I kick this door down and whoop you.”
Isaiah, who filed for divorce from Vanessa in November 2024, responded to the allegations at the time, stating, “I deny the allegations. She did this because I filed for divorce.”
Per TMZ Sports, Vanessa was able to obtain the protective order in July, which required Isaiah to have no contact with his wife or their 15-year-old son.
The 54-year-old was also ordered to stay away from their residence and his son’s school.
A court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17.
Rider Had Nine-Year NBA Career
As a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, Rider was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1993 NBA draft out of UNLV. He spent his first three seasons with the Wolves before joining the Portland Trail Blazers for his next three campaigns after the 1995-96 season.
With Minnesota, Rider was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1993-94 after averaging 16.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 30.6 minutes per game in 79 appearances (60 starts).
He also won the 1994 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with a dunk that he called “The East Bay Funk Dunk.”
Rider went on to play one season for the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets. He won his lone NBA championship in 2001 with the Lakers alongside Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
In 563 career NBA regular-season games (424 starts) across nine seasons, Rider averaged 16.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 31.7 minutes per contest with a shooting line of 44.3/35.2/81.2.
