Wild video emerged of ex-NBA player Marcus Morris’ arrest at Fort Lauderdale International Airport last month.
Morris — who played 13 seasons in the NBA, including part of one with the Knicks — was arrested on a felony charge of fraud over allegations he wrote $260,000 in bad checks to cover gambling markers at two Las Vegas casinos.
In body cam footage obtained by TMZ, officers from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office both handcuffed Morris in addition to placing shackles around his ankles.
Officers approached Morris and his family — including his twin brother and fellow ex-NBA player Markieff — and cuffed his wrists as they explained they were placing him in custody over an outstanding warrant.
Then officers sat Morris down in a wheelchair and put the shackles around his ankles, explaining that it was a “new policy.”
“Come on bro,” Morris said when they placed the shackles on his ankles.
Officers also gave Markieff some of his brother’s property, which included jewelry and personal items.
Officers then brought Morris to a squad car and drove him to jail.
Morris was denied bail and said he spent 51 hours behind bars, claiming he was given no food or water.
“Did I take out a marker to gamble? Yes,” Morris, 35, wrote in an Instagram post after being released. “Was this my first time? No. I’ve been enjoying my off time and doing what I like every year at some point in Vegas at a high level for years and that’s not just gambling. I really thought the amount of money and time I spent there would really have value … so this year I took my time to pay back the money that could of been [handled] on the spot if I’d known that would have been locked up like I was trying to flee or a flight risk.”
He said he was upset that he was made to “look like a criminal over a petty couple hundred.”
“So did I go past the time I needed to repay, yea probably did. Did I know they would locked (sic) me up helllllll No,” Morris wrote.
Morris later claimed he paid off his debts and that the case was dismissed.
He has not played in the NBA since the 2023-24 season with the Cavaliers and makes regular appearances on ESPN’s “First Take.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
