Former NBA player Sean Kemp admitted guilt on Tuesday for assaulting two men inside a vehicle at a Washington state mall parking lot. Kemp, aged 55, accepted a plea deal for second-degree assault in Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, as confirmed by prosecutors. The incident, which occurred in March 2023, involved Kemp firing shots while a man was in his Toyota 4Runner, and damage was done to another vehicle; however, no injuries were reported.
Initially, Kemp faced charges of first-degree assault with firearm enhancement, but prosecutors recently added assault and drive-by shooting charges, which could have led to a lengthy prison term. His sentencing is scheduled for August, with Deputy Prosecutor Thomas Howe proposing a nine-month incarceration followed by a year of supervised probation and restitution payments.
Kemp, known for his NBA career primarily with the Seattle Supersonics from 1989 to 1997 and his six All-Star selections, has declined to comment. His lawyer, Tim Leary, stated Kemp is focused on making positive changes and believes the case involved elements of self-defense.
Court documents reveal that on March 8, 2023, Kemp and employees from his cannabis clinic were at a Seattle concert when his truck broke down. Kemp tracked the 4Runner involved via a phone app, confronted its driver near Tacoma Mall, and a shooting exchange occurred. Kemp returned fire after the man in the vehicle fired first, attempting to disable the 4Runner, which later was found abandoned with an empty holster inside but no firearm.
911 call logs include witness reports of an exchange of gunfire between two men. In the plea agreement, it was noted that the trial would be complicated by the criminal histories of two witnesses and the unlawful possession of Kemp’s belongings by them. Kemp must now relinquish firearm ownership rights and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement databases.
Kemp began his NBA career in the 1989-90 season as a 20-year-old without any college basketball experience. He also played for teams in Cleveland, Portland, and Orlando, and was renowned for his aerial dunks.
Fan Take: This situation reminds basketball fans that even legendary players can face serious personal challenges off the court, underscoring the importance of accountability. It also signals how the sport’s community must support the rehabilitation and positive growth of former athletes beyond their playing days.
