2001 Slam Dunk Champion Desmond Mason Arrested on Felony Charges After Months on the Run

Desmond Mason, who won the NBA Slam Dunk contest in 2001 and played for the Seattle SuperSonics early in his career, has been arrested on felony charges. The 48-year-old former player was taken into custody in Bricktown, Oklahoma after authorities had been searching for him since February. He was transported to a hospital for a medical issue before being taken to jail.

The Memorabilia Deal Gone Wrong

Mason is facing serious legal trouble stemming from a sports memorabilia framing job that went sideways. According to the Melissa Police Department in Collin County, Texas, a couple hired Mason in March 2025 to frame a piece of sports memorabilia and paid him $9,822.86 for the work. In April 2025, Mason sent them a photograph of the completed framing and promised delivery of the final product. Then he disappeared.

The couple waited months for their item. When Mason stopped communicating with them, they filed a police report with the Melissa Police Department in January. The sports memorabilia and authentication documents that Mason was supposed to return were valued at around $40,000. Police have been looking for him ever since February, leading to his eventual arrest this week.

Running From Justice

Mason remained in jail on the charge of "flight to avoid," which is used for someone who crosses borders to dodge prosecution. The veteran had stops throughout his NBA career in Seattle, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and Sacramento after being drafted 17th overall out of Oklahoma State in the 2000 NBA draft. The SuperSonics gave him his first shot in the league, but decades later, his off-court troubles have caught up with him.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.