Delonte West’s former teammates call for help for former NBA star

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Delonte West, right, passes around the then Charlotte Bobcats’ Raymond Felton in his season debut. | Tony Dejak, Associated Press

A video appears to show Delonte West in handcuffs

A video surfaced online of former NBA player Delonte West sitting on the side of the street in handcuffs. His former teammates are calling for help, USA Today reports.

What happened: A video appeared Monday night on social media reportedly showing Delonte West rambling while he sits on the street in handcuffs, according to USA Today

• The video shows West shirtless on a sidewalk. A person offscreen asks West why he hit somebody. West says in the video that a man with a gun approached him. He rambles on.
• The video contains mature language and content. The Deseret News did not link to the video.

Reaction: Jameer Nelson shared a long post about West.

pic.twitter.com/W3QxPsbYSu

— Jameer Nelson (@jameernelson) January 21, 2020

Phil Martelli, who coached West during his time at Saint Joseph’s, posted on Twitter about the video, calling it “very painful.”

• Martelli called for people to help West.
• “Over the past several hours I have talked with many who are willing to help — please read and embrace Jameer’s wisdom — we are reaching out to our basketball network to get the professional help Delonte needs. This is so very painful.”

Others shared their support for West, too, according to Yahoo Sports.

Untreated mental illness can have horrific effects, and the Delonte West video seems to offer all the evidence anyone would need to see. Heartbreaking. I know people have tried to help him, and I hope it happens.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 21, 2020

I see a lot dumb comments where folks making fun of Delonte west... this is not a joking matter .... I’m going to figure out how I can help him.... he need to be in rehab or something...

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) January 21, 2020

There’s no reason to repost that video of Delonte West. He needs help. Not judgment nor jokes or making light of a really tough situation. We are all deserving of compassion. Let’s find a way to help. Even if that’s simply by being kind.

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 21, 2020

Just catching up to the Delonte West video. We have a serious mental health crisis in this country, and that begins with the lack of available insurance to cover the costs and access to facilities. I truly hope he gets the help he needs.

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 21, 2020

Man I didn’t even wanna believe that was Delonte West in that video, even though it looked just like him. ‍♂️ ‍♂️ ‍♂️ Prayers up to that man and his family!! Hope he gets the help he needs. Mental Health is real y’all!!! Don’t be too proud or ashamed to get help!

— James JJ Sullinger (@JJSullinger) January 21, 2020

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