Los Angeles Lakers star Deandre Ayton was reportedly detained at an airport in his native Bahamas as authorities searched his bags for marijuana.
As first reported by TMZ, Ayton was released after the search failed to uncover any contraband. The Central Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force claimed to TMZ that Ayton was seen smoking marijuana on the premises, which prompted the search of his belongings.
Ayton’s attorney Devard Francis told TMZ his client was only briefly held by police and no charges were filed. Francis added that Ayton was en route back to LA to join the Lakers as they return from the All-Star break.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Ayton’s attorney, local authorities and the Lakers for comment.
While marijuana is legal in California, where the 27-year-old works, the drug remains banned in his home country, where recent legislation has reduced penalties for possession and trafficking. Now, less than an ounce can result in just a $250 fine as opposed to criminal charges.
The NBA has moved away from punishing players for marijuana use and no longer randomly tests for it.
Ayton was the first pick of the 2018 NBA Draft and has since reached the Finals once
The incident took place at the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas
Ayton previously got a 25-game suspension in 2019 after testing positive for a banned diuretic.
He was the first pick of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, whom he helped reach the 2021 NBA Finals, where they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks. Ayton became the first player in the shot-clock era to shoot over 70 percent over a 12-game postseason span that year.
Despite his success in Phoenix, the former University of Arizona star was traded by the Suns in 2023 to the Portland Trail Blazers, who would ultimately buy him out in the summer of 2025.
Ayton signed with the Lakers, but has averaged a career low 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over his 46 appearances, all starts.
The Lakers are currently at 33-21 as they return from the All-Star break and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference.
