Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) on Monday, several months after his arrest in Scottsdale, according to court documents obtained by ESPN. Brooks was taken into custody early on March 6 on suspicion of a DUI. Body camera footage obtained by TMZ revealed that a police officer noticed the smell of marijuana in Brooks’ vehicle during the traffic stop.
The arrest happened just hours after the Suns lost a home game, although Brooks did not participate in that match due to a broken hand. He now faces a Class 1 misdemeanor charge related to the DUI incident and is scheduled for arraignment on October 28. Additionally, Brooks has an outstanding misdemeanor reckless driving and speeding case from January and is due in court for that matter on November 9.
“This charge stems from the incident last March,” said Suns senior vice president of communications Stacey Mitch in a statement to ESPN. “We have addressed the matter with Dillon and have no further comment.”
Brooks was traded to Phoenix before last season in a major deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. During his time with the Suns, Brooks posted a career-best average of 20.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, shooting over 43% from the field—his second-best shooting percentage after his rookie year. However, he only played in 56 games due to a fractured left hand he sustained in February.
In August, Brooks agreed to a three-year, $73 million contract extension. Originally, he was set to enter the final year of his previous four-year deal signed with the Memphis Grizzlies this fall before becoming a free agent next year. With this new extension, Brooks is expected to be an essential part of the Suns’ future plans.
After being swept in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Suns will begin the 2026-27 season against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 21.
Fan Take: This news is significant for basketball fans because it highlights off-court challenges that can affect players’ careers and team dynamics. How Brooks handles these legal issues could impact his performance and reputation, underscoring the importance of professionalism both on and off the court in the NBA.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
