Where is Delonte West now? Taking a look at how Mark Cuban is aiding the former Dallas Mavericks player
A decade ago, Delonte West was one of the best role players in the NBA. He played for the Dallas Mavericks in 2011-12 and averaged 9.6 points and 3.2 assists per game. Unfortunately, this was the point guard's last season in the league.
Since leaving the NBA, West has played in China and Venezuela. He also spent some time in NBA's development league. However, it appears that his life has spiraled out of control in the past few years and he's dealing with serious issues.
Delonte West's life has been quite difficult. His childhood was far from perfect as he dealt with drug addiction and engaged in self-harm. West was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder during his NBA career.
During his eight-year career in the league, West made $16.2 million. His biggest paycheck came from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who paid $4.3 million for his services during the 2009-10 season.
West wasn't particularly great at saving money. He often struggled financially and even got a job at Home Depot during the 2011 NBA lockout.
The point guard's basketball career ended in 2015, when he suffered a season-ending injury while playing for the Texas Legends, the minor league affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks.
Just a year later, he was seen in Houston wearing a hospital gown. West was barefoot and looked like he was homeless. A few months later, he was spotted begging for money in Maryland.
Tough scene, Delonte West spotted panhandling https://t.co/kxdsnBv0TR
Many NBA fans were worried about Delonte West when he was seen panhandling. However, the eight-year NBA veteran claimed that he was simply assisting someone else who needed the money.
West was spotted panhandling a few more times, with the most recent video coming out in June 2022.
Mark Cuban tried to help Delonte West
Mark Cuban has helped thousands of people. Unfortunately, he couldn't help Delonte West. In 2020, Cuban reunited with West and and wanted to help him by paying for his drug rehabilitation and a hotel room.
Things seemed to be picking up for the former point guard as he was doing well at the rehabilitation facility. He even got a job there and reunited with his mother.
In March 2022, Delonte West attended tryouts for the Big 3 league. He was grateful for another opportunity that he received and said that it was a gift from god. West also thanked Cuban for helping him recover.
NBA fans and players were happy to hear that West was doing well. Unfortunately, he strayed off the path once again. Cuban spoke about his situation just a few weeks ago, revealing that the former point guard is still struggling:
"It's a struggle for him. He's at the point in his life where he's got to want to be helped.”
The Dallas Mavericks owner cares a lot about his former player and understands that addiction and mental health problems can be very difficult.