Former Cavaliers Guard Delonte West’s Rehabilitation Just Came Full Circle
Sunny days appear headed Delonte West’s way.
A veteran NBA guard best known for his time on the Cleveland Cavaliers, West has dealt with personal demons in retirement. West is a long way removed from his feuds with former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has spent recent months trying to get West back on his feet. Now, West’s rehabilitation is about to come full circle.
Delonte West played several seasons in the NBA
In the years before the Boston Celtics acquired the likes of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the team did their best to find help for Paul Pierce elsewhere.
Delonte West, a two-way guard and the 24th overall selection in 2004, was one such player. West grew into a talented guard in three seasons with the Celtics before Danny Ainge sent him to Seattle in the Ray Allen trade.
Cleveland, needing more help for a young LeBron James, acquired West midway through the 2007-08 season. West spent two-plus seasons in Cleveland, averaging 10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 150 games and 93 starts.
The Cavaliers, much like The Beatles, broke up following the 2009-10 campaign when James joined the Miami Heat. West concluded his NBA career with single-season stints in Boston (2010-11) and Dallas (2011-12).
West has had major issues in retirement
Put simply, Delonte West has had his share of personal problems over the years.
West went viral in January 2020 when a Maryland police officer allegedly filmed a shirtless man speaking with officers after a fight with another man. Social media users identified the shirtless man as West because of the tattoos.
The video showed the latest struggle in West’s life. West told The Washington Post in 2015 that he abused drugs growing up in Maryland.
West added that although a doctor diagnosed him with bipolar disorder in 2008, he disputed that prognosis.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban sought out West several months later. West played for Cuban during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.
Cuban located West in September 2020 and brought him to a rehab facility in Florida. According to The Washington Post, Cuban offered to pay for West’s treatment and stay at the facility.
Delonte West’s rehabilitation just came full circle
Delonte West’s basketball career might be over, but he is trying to salvage the rest of his life.
Mark Cuban provided updates about West’s “uphill battle” throughout the fall of 2020. In October, Cuban tweeted a picture of West riding a horse at the facility.
Things are getting even better for West, who turned 37 in July. The Athletic reported that West now has a job at the Rebound Therapy Center in Florida.
West attended the same rehabilitation center. Now, just months after going in, he has an opportunity to stay and help others with whatever they need.
Cuban had not publicly commented on West’s new job by publication.
How to get help: In the U.S., contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
