Members of Delonte West’s past are trying to help the troubled former NBA star after another alarming incident.
Jameer Nelson, West’s college teammate at Saint Joseph’s, and former St. Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli made their concerns known on Twitter after video surfaced of West in handcuffs after appearing to be beaten up on a road. West says in one video that someone approached him with a gun. TMZ reports West’s former agent Aaron Goodwin confirmed West was involved in the altercation and needs medical attention but is recovering from the attack.
“I’m sick today [sic] my stomach right now seeing the videos of Delonte,” Nelson wrote of West, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2008. “To answer everybody that’s reaching out to me about his situation… all we can do is pray for Him and his family and hope that he seeks the proper help. Mental illness is something that a lot of people deal with and don’t even know it, until sometimes it’s too late. I’m not sure what exactly is going on with Dwest but he knows I’m in his corner and will help him get through this.
“Yes, I’ve spoken to him Over the past several months, just trying to be there for him as a friend. One thing I do know Is. if your [sic] having mental, emotional or physical set backs in life you need to talk to somebody. And when I say talk to somebody. I mean,, like a doctor or doctors. Not you parents, homeboy, wife, cousins etc. somebody that has credentials in helping people for what your going through. And please be mindful, when you posting videos or pictures of somebody. You may think your helping but you might be hurting them even more. People have kids and their kids don’t deserve to be embarrassed. Please Pray!”
Martelli quote-tweeted Nelson and said people are trying to do what they can for 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,” Martelli wrote.
TMZ reports the altercation took place in Washington, DC.
Four years ago, West was seen walking outside a Jack in The Box in Houston looking disheveled. Later in 2016, West was photographed in ragtag attire with a cardboard sign on the side of a road in Maryland.
The Athletic reported the videos of West were being discussed Monday night in the Lakers’ locker room in Boston. “As expected, nothing but shock and hope for help,” reporter Clevis Murray tweeted.
The NBA has offered to help West and his family, according to TMZ.