The criminal case against Ben Gordon was dismissed on Monday.
Gordon, a former University of Connecticut basketball star and first-round NBA draft pick faced multiple charges after an outburst at a local juice shop just hours after the Huskies’ 2023 National Championship win.
But the case was dismissed in Stamford Superior Court after Gordon completed a supervised diversionary program.
“Mental health is really important and the court saw his commitment to doing the right thing in life and that is why they sealed his record and dismissed all of his charges,” Gordon’s attorney, Darnell Crosland, said following the dismissal, according to the Stamford Advocate. “I am blessed to have been his lawyer.”
Gordon Was Accused of Pulling Knife Out at Juice Bar
Gordon was arrested in Stamford on April 4, 2023 — his 40th birthday and just hours after the UConn men’s basketball team won the National Championship — and charged with several misdemeanors. Police said the British-born former NBA player pulled a folding knife on a juice shop employee during a dispute, then struggled with responding officers.
Gordon was charged with three felony counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, as well as multiple misdemeanors, including two counts of second-degree threatening, and single counts of interfering with an officer, sixth-degree larceny, and disorderly conduct.
Stamford police were called to a juice bar after reports that a man had pulled a knife on employees and was causing a disturbance. Several officers and a patrol supervisor arrived and found Gordon “acting erratically,” according to Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin. No injuries were reported.
Conklin said Gordon initially followed officers’ instructions and left the business, but soon stopped cooperating, forcing police to take him to the ground to handcuff him. A search then turned up a folding knife clipped to his pants, along with a stun gun and brass knuckles in his backpack, according to police.
Gordon Was Arrested Multiple Times for Violent Acts
The incident was one of a series of high publicized arrests for Gordon in recent years. But Crosland said in recent months that Gordon has been “doing extremely well.”
In October 2022, Gordon was arrested in New York after allegedly punching his son in the face at LaGuardia Airport and then scuffling with responding Port Authority officers. Two officers sustained minor injuries in the struggle, according to the Daily News. In the LaGuardia case, Gordon was charged with assault, resisting arrest, and violating an order of protection involving his son.
Just hours after being released on bond from Rikers Island, he was arrested again in Harlem after allegedly smashing a friend’s phone and elbowing her in the eye, according to reports. He later pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in a deal that spared him jail time, the New York Daily News reported.
In November 2022, Gordon was arrested in Chicago after allegedly punching a security guard at a McDonald’s. According to the Associated Press, one man was struck in the face and thrown to the ground, while another was shoved and knocked down during the altercation. Gordon was charged with misdemeanor battery causing bodily harm and battery with physical contact.
Gordon pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor battery and received a six-month conditional discharge, the New York Post reported.
GettyBOSTON – APRIL 20: Eddie House #50 of the Boston Celtics fouls as Ben Gordon #7 of the Chicago Bulls heads for the net in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 20, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 118-115. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Gordon Received Support From UConn Legend Jim Calhoun
Gordon played three seasons at UConn, starting every game in his sophomore and junior years. He averaged more than 14 points per game during those seasons and helped lead the Huskies to the 2004 National Championship.
Former UConn coach Jim Calhoun was one of many to support Gordon in his recent criminal case. He praised Gordon as having an “intelligent, thoughtful” demeanor, on and off the court.
“From the moment I met Ben, I saw a passion and drive in him like no other,” Calhoun wrote in the letter. “On both a personal and professional level, I consider Ben to be an outstanding individual.”
Calhoun wrote in the letter that Gordon was going to therapy to overcome his “past issues.” Despite the struggles, Calhoun said, Gordon was “in the process returning to UConn to receive his degree.”
After winning a national championship in college, Gordon left UConn for the NBA and was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls. Gordon went on to play 11 seasons in the league, averaging nearly 15 points per game, with stints for the Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats, and Orlando Magic.
Charges Dropped Against Former Bulls 1st Round Pick in Juice Shop Incident