Cameron Payne signed a one-year deal worth $3.1 million with the New York Knicks in July. However, just a month prior, he found himself in the spotlight for a concerning incident involving police.
In June, the NBA guard was taken into custody after he refused to disclose his real name to law enforcement. This situation unfolded when he called 911 during a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, leading to a response from the Scottsdale Police Department.
Upon the officers’ arrival at his residence, they attempted to confirm his identity. To their surprise, Payne didn’t reveal that he was a professional basketball player; rather, he insisted he was “Terry Johnson.”
“I’m OK. I don’t have to tell you my name. I’m OK,” Payne remarked.
On Thursday, the Scottsdale Police Department shared body-camera footage that recorded the interaction between Payne and the officers. The footage illustrated the officers’ attempts to ascertain his real name as Payne grew more frustrated, contending that they had no authority to be in his home.
Despite the officers’ persistence in trying to gather information, including his birthdate, Payne continued to refuse to cooperate. As the situation intensified, one officer expressed frustration and called Payne “dumb,” ultimately opting to place him under arrest.
“All right, you’re under arrest for giving a fake name. That was dumb,” the officer stated.
Cameron Payne Reflects on His Tumultuous Basketball Journey
Cameron Payne has experienced a tumultuous path in professional basketball, moving between NBA and G-League teams since he debuted with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a recent interview with SNY, the Knicks player shared insights into his journey and his dedication to his profession.
“The most significant experience was being waived and then heading overseas. I don’t want to go back overseas. That’s my identity now. I’m committed to playing my heart out and doing whatever it takes to help my team win,” Payne reflected.
Last season, he played for both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers, appearing in a total of 47 games with the Bucks before moving to the 76ers, where he played in 31 games.
Image Source: Cameron Payne @ Instagram
