Kyle Singler, a former basketball star at Duke who played six seasons in the NBA, most recently for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was charged with domestic violence on Tuesday for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. The alleged incident happened in front of their child.
Haskell County sheriff’s deputies arrested 37-year-old Singler on Thursday in the rural Oklahoma town of Whitefield, where he was reportedly staying in an Airbnb with his family. A probable cause statement reviewed by the Associated Press and local television network News9 said authorities responded after a witness called 911 to say Singler was chasing a woman outside the home.
Singler’s girlfriend reportedly told one of the officers that Singler grabbed her by the head and pushed her to the ground. Deputy Mitch Dobbs, who is listed in court records as the arresting officer, reportedly said in the affidavit that he could see handprints on the woman’s face and arm. Dobbs noted that Singler was not cooperating with authorities and appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, the AP said.
Jail records show Singler was booked into the Haskell County Jail and later released on $6,000 bond.
Singler faces one felony count of assault and battery in the presence of a child, a charge that carries a prison sentence of six months to a year if convicted. If found guilty, he could also face a $5,000 fine.
Singler, a 2007 McDonald’s All-American and star player at Duke, won a national championship as a junior with the Blue Devils in 2010. His performance earned him the tournament’s most outstanding player award.
The Detroit Pistons selected Singler with the No. 33 pick in the 2011 draft, but his debut was delayed by the NBA lockout. He made the All-Rookie Second Team in 2012 and was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. The team waived him in 2018, ending his NBA career. He announced his retirement from professional basketball on October 17, 2019, after several seasons abroad.
Singler’s arrest comes 11 months after he posted a lengthy 90-second Instagram video that sparked concerned messages from fans and former teammates.
“I have been mistreated and abused, neglected, made into a mental example,” Singler said in the clip. “And I fear for my life every day. And people in my community make me look like I’m someone who’s going to be a problem and make things difficult for people when all I’m trying to do is be helpful.”
The video prompted the NBA Players’ Association to contact Singler’s familyalthough it was not stated if representatives spoke to him directly. Singler later posted other cryptic videos, but his Instagram is currently inactive. His X account has not posted since 2019.
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