NBA: Basketball Players Who Committed Crimes And Served Time In Prison

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

Not all NBA drama unfolds on the hardwood—some of it plays out in courtrooms and prison cells. These 10 former pros crossed lines off the court and paid the price. From violent crimes to fraud, their stories go beyond box scores and highlight the darker side of fame. Here’s a sobering ranking of NBA players who served real jail time.

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr.

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

Two-time All-Star Eddie “Fast Eddie” Johnson spiraled into drug abuse and was convicted for raping an 8-year-old. Sentenced to life, he died behind bars in 2020.

#9. Oliver Miller

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

Big Baby Miller, known for his size and energy, ended up in handcuffs in 2011. He pleaded out to assault, gun possession and reckless endangerment, drawing a five-year sentence.

#8. J.R. Smith

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

Still remembered for buzzer-beaters, J.R. faced legal drama too. He pled guilty to reckless driving in 2009 after a crash that killed a friend—and spent 30 days in jail.

#7. William Bedford

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

A 10-year NBA vet, Bedford battled drugs post-career. In 2004 he got caught with illegal substances and served nearly a decade behind bars before turning his life around.

#6. Darrell Allums

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

After a short NBA career, Allums slipped into armed robbery to fund a cocaine habit. He robbed Domino’s deliveries and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
 

#5. Tom Payne

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

A trailblazer as Kentucky’s first Black player, Payne later landed in prison multiple times for sexual assault. He served years behind bars, his career fading into the past.

#4. Javaris Crittenton

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

From locker-room gun drama to tragic violence, Crittenton’s story turned tragic in 2011. He pled guilty to manslaughter, got a 23-year sentence, and was released in 2023.

#3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

The All-Star guard had promise, but a DUI crash in 2013 killed a woman. Convicted of vehicular homicide, Blaylock served three years in prison after a plea deal.

#2. Terrence Williams

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

Once a top draft pick, Williams masterminded a $5M health-care fraud. In 2023 he received a decade in federal prison, marking one of the sport’s biggest non-violent scandals.

#1. Jayson Williams

#10. Eddie Johnson Jr., #9. Oliver Miller, #8. J.R. Smith, #7. William Bedford, #6. Darrell Allums, #5. Tom Payne, #4. Javaris Crittenton, #3. Charlie “Mookie” Blaylock, #2. Terrence Williams, #1. Jayson Williams

The one-time All-Star was convicted for accidentally shooting his chauffeur in 2002. He pled guilty in 2010 and served 18 months of a five-year term—a jail sentence that haunted his name.

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