Former Grizzlies Star Zach Randolph Arrested On Drug Charges

WATTS, CA — Zach Randolph, the Sacramento Kings forward and former Grizzlies All-Star, was freed on bail Thursday after a melee with police at the Nickerson Gardens housing project in Watts.

Randolph, 36, was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, police said. The two-time NBA All-Star was allegedly present when a large crowd swarmed around police and damaged a half-dozen law enforcement vehicles Wednesday night.

According to jail records, he was booked around 4:30 a.m. Thursday and released on $20,000 bail just before 8 a.m.

Randolph signed a two-year contract worth $24 million with the Kings in July after playing eight years with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was a fan favorite and the team plans to retire his jersey.

According to police, officers were conducting an investigation in the area of 112th Street and Zamora Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday when a large crowd began to form, with some people allegedly smoking marijuana.

Officers put out a help call, requesting backup. Police set up a skirmish line, and people in the crowd threw objects at officers, police said. Five Los Angeles Police Department patrol cars were vandalized, along with one Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department vehicle, according to police.

No injuries were reported.

Another man, identified by police as ex-convict Stanley Walton, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a gun.

Randolph has played in the NBA for 16 years, including a 2008-09 stint with the Clippers. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI in April 2009 while driving a white Rolls Royce in the Del Rey area, leading to a two-game suspension from the team.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report; Photo: Zach Randolph when he played for the Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)