Former Kentucky basketball star Rajon Rondo arrested in Indiana
Former University of Kentucky basketball star Rajon Rondo was arrested Sunday in Indiana.
According to a release from the Indiana State Police, law enforcement officials received a call shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday reporting a black 2022 Tesla driving recklessly on Interstate 65 in Bartholomew County. A state trooper conducted a traffic stop after the vehicle entered Jackson County and “observed the odor of marijuana” coming from within the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, which was driven by Rondo, troopers found suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm in Rondo’s possession.
Rondo was prohibited from possessing the firearm due to having a protection order in place against him, according to the state police release. A juvenile in Rondo’s vehicle at the time of the stop was released to a family member.
According to court records, Rondo, 37, was arrested for unlawful carrying of a handgun, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. All of the charges are misdemeanors. A court hearing for Rondo’s case has been scheduled for Feb. 27.
Rondo was released on bond shortly after his arrest Sunday afternoon. His address was listed as Lexington, according to the county sheriff’s office records. Rondo has been enrolled in classes at UK as recently as this academic year.
The former UK star played for the Wildcats during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons before being selected with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft. He went on to play 16 seasons in the NBA — most recently with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022 — and won NBA titles with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Rondo was a four-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA All-Defensive first team selection, and he led the league in assists three times.
An emergency protective order was filed against Rondo in 2022 following a domestic altercation in Louisville. The woman who filed that protective order said Rondo “became enraged” and threatened her life.
“I am extremely fearful for my safety and for the safety of my children,” the woman said, according to public documents obtained by WDRB at the time. “Rajon has a history of volatile, erratic, explosive behavior ... I am beyond fearful that Rajon will return and attempt to harm myself or the children and make good on his threats to end my life.”
Rondo, a Louisville native, started his high school career at Eastern before finishing at Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and joining Kentucky in the 2004 recruiting class. Rondo had 87 steals in his freshman year with the Wildcats, a single-season record at Kentucky.
Rondo was inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in September.
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