Copyright NBC10 Boston
Former NBA player Tony Allen, a defensive stalwart who played for the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, was arrested on drug charges in Poinsett County, Arkansas, on Wednesday. Allen, 43, faces two charges of drug possession. A car, driven by William Hatton, 33, of Memphis, was stopped on Interstate 555 about 50 miles northwest of Memphis. A report from the Poinsett County Sheriff's Office said a package of leafy substance, later identified as marijuana, was found on Allen. A search of the car found a cigarette box with a powdery substance, later identified as cocaine, according to the report. Allen played for Memphis from 2011 to 2017. The Celtics drafted him out of Oklahoma State in 2004. He won a championship with Boston in the 2007-08 season. He finished his career with the New Orleans Pelicans. In August 2023, Allen pleaded guilty in a federal case regarding an NBA health insurance and fraud scheme. He was sentenced to community service and three years supervised probation. The Grizzlies retired his No. 9 jersey in March, the third of the Core Four to receive the honor. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph also have had their numbers retired. The fourth member — Mike Conley — is still playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
