Former NBA star Desmond Mason apparently decided retirement was getting a little too peaceful, so now he’s back in headlines for something that definitely won’t earn him a standing ovation. The former player was arrested in Oklahoma City after police picked him up in Bricktown on Thursday. And yes, somehow the mugshot became the main event because Mason looked way too happy to be there.
Seriously, most people look stressed, confused, or like they just lost an argument with life itself in mugshots. Not Desmond Mason. The man looked like he was posing for a real estate billboard. Big smile, and relaxed face.
According to reports, police arrested Mason but had to take him to a local hospital first because of a medical issue before booking him into jail. Nothing says “rough week” quite like needing medical treatment before your mugshot photoshoot. Eventually, he landed in the Oklahoma County Detention Center, where he’s still being held as of Monday.
Mason is still in the Oklahoma County Detention Center as of Monday … and is being held on “flight to avoid,” which is used for someone crossing borders to dodge prosecution, News 9 reports.
The outlet also stated the felony warrant is for theft of property out of Collin County. A couple claims they paid Mason — an artist in retirement — more than $9,000 to frame some sports memorabilia for them in March 2025 … but he never returned the item.
The couple said Mason was either MIA or had excuses for not delivering the finished product … and went to authorities to resolve the issue earlier this year.
The memorabilia as a whole is valued at $40,000, according to officials.
One thing is certain: Desmond Mason may be retired from basketball, but he still knows how to make headlines. Unfortunately, this time there was no basketball involved, no highlight reel dunk, and definitely no championship parade waiting afterward.
