Former NBA player Samaki Walker tried to eat marijuana during a traffic stop in Kingman, Ariz., on Thursday, according to a newspaper report. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Walker, who retired after the 2005-06 NBA season, swallowed the pot as a Department of Public Safety officer walked toward his 2002 Mercedes-Benz, Arizona officials allege. Arizona authorities also allege they seized about 10 grams of marijuana, some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids from the vehicle, the newspaper reported.
Walker, who played for six teams in 10 NBA seasons, allegedly indicated to the officer that he uses steroids because he plays professional basketball in Syria. Though steroids are legal in Syria, according to Walker, possession is a misdemeanor in Arizona, police said.
Walker, who started his high school basketball career at Whitehall High School in Columbus, Ohio also played with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers,Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers, was booked on drug charges, according to the newspaper. Bond was reportedly set at $2,000 along with an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing.
