Drug charges against ex-NBA player dismissed

An Arizona prosecutor has dismissed charges against a former NBA player who was arrested on drug charges, but that doesn’t mean he’s off the hook.

Deputy Mohave County Attorney Greg McPhillips said he’ll reconsider bringing charges against Samaki Walker once laboratory analysis gives him a better idea what types of drugs were found in his 2002 Mercedes-Benz during a routine traffic stop in Kingman on July 28.

A state Department of Public Safety officer said the 35-year-old Woodland Hills, Calif., resident was eating marijuana as he approached the vehicle after the stop at 11:30 p.m. The officer noted in a report that about 10 grams of marijuana were found in the vehicle along with prescription pills and eight vials of liquid steroids or human growth hormones.

McPhillips said he needs to know more about the 268 pills and the steroids before he knows whether and which criminal charges might be appropriate. A narcotic task force commander said Walker told officers that the steroids are legal where he plays basketball overseas.

Kingman defense attorney Billy Sipe said he will represent Walker on the Arizona matter and that his client is free to play for his team in Syria once the season begins in October.

Walker starred at the University of Louisville before beginning a 10-year NBA career that ended in 2006.