Former Grizzlies star Tony Allen arrested on drug possession charges

Former Memphis Grizzlies defensive star Tony Allen was arrested on multiple drug charges in Poinsett County, Ark., on Wednesday.

Allen, 43, was arrested on two counts of drug possession after a car driven by Memphis native William Hatton, 33, was stopped on Interstate 555 near Memphis, according to a report from the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office obtained by the Associated Press.

The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment when contacted by The Athletic.

According to the Associated Press, police found a substance later identified as marijuana on Allen and found a cigarette box containing a powdery substance, later identified as cocaine, during a search of the car. Allen was booked at the Poinsett County Detention Center.

The 14-year NBA veteran was an integral part of the Grizzlies’ “Core Four” during the 2010s. He earned six All-Defensive team selections during his seven seasons with the team — three first-team honors (2012, 2013, 2015) and three second-team honors (2011, 2016, 2017). He was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2004 after playing at Oklahoma State.

The guard is known as one of the best perimeter defenders in league history. The Grizzlies retired his No. 9 jersey in March, enabling him to join longtime “Grit and Grind” teammates Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph as the only three players in the team’s history to receive that honor.

The 6-foot-4 Allen ranks second in Grizzlies history in steals (762), ninth in offensive rebounds (741) and 10th in blocks (217). He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.

Allen’s arrest is his latest legal trouble. In April 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud in a wide-ranging case related to NBA health care fraud. He was sentenced to community service and supervision.