Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel “Booby” Gibson ran into legal trouble this week after a routine traffic stop in Ohio led to his arrest. Despite Gibson’s efforts to highlight his local ties and community involvement, officers executed an outstanding warrant connected to an old traffic violation.
The stop happened around 10:30 p.m. Monday in Beachwood, Ohio, when police noticed his truck was missing its taillights. Body-camera footage shows the initial interaction was relatively casual and even friendly.
Gibson, now 39, quickly identified himself, though the officer already recognized the former NBA player. He explained that he thought his lights were on because the vehicle was set to “auto,” noting it was new to him. The officer accepted the explanation and initially planned no citation, focusing instead on road safety.
However, the situation changed once police ran Gibson’s California driver’s license. Officers discovered an active warrant stemming from a 2022 speeding ticket, in which he was clocked at 90 mph in a 70 mph zone, after he failed to appear in court. Gibson believed his attorney had handled the matter at the time, but the warrant had remained active.
Police informed Gibson that he would need to be taken into custody and transferred to the Ohio State Patrol. The former Cavaliers guard expressed frustration, noting his long-standing local presence and community involvement, and suggested that the lack of discretion might even prompt him to consider moving back to Houston. He also mentioned spending time with the mayor earlier that evening, but officers explained the decision was out of their hands.
Before leaving the vehicle, Gibson asked for the officer’s name and badge number, then complied with instructions to step out and place his hands behind his back.
While Gibson’s charitable work—especially mentoring youth and community outreach—is well known, the incident highlighted a simple reality: outstanding warrants must be enforced regardless of reputation or past contributions.
The matter was quickly resolved, with Gibson paying the outstanding fine earlier this week, and no further legal issues are expected.
Gibson spent his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2006 to 2013, playing a key role in multiple playoff runs alongside LeBron James. He averaged 7.8 points, two rebounds, and two assists per game, earning a reputation as a fan favorite during a memorable period in Cavaliers history.
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