Arenas Pleas Guilty, Awaits Sentencing

by James Robles

Gilbert Arenas strode into the D.C. Superior Courtroom last Friday without his usual swagger and care free bravado. The all-star NBA player’s demeanor was all business, garbed in a pin stripe suit, only speaking when spoken to.

Arenas’ future hangs in the balance, with his recent guilty plea for felony gun possession. The charge calls for a recommended six to 12 months jail time, although the government noted it is seeking no more then six months. Arenas’ March 26th sentence date is close on the horizon and a much anticipated ruling.

The remaining $80 million dollars left on Arenas’ contract hangs in limbo as the NBA works to find its own punishment. “Gilbert Arenas has been a cornerstone of the Washington Wizards for six years. We are deeply saddened and disappointed in his actions that have led to the events of this afternoon,” the team spokesperson said. “Gilbert used extremely poor judgment and is ultimately responsible for his own actions.” It’s speculated that the league will wait until Arenas’ sentence is issued before making a judgment of their own.

The Wizard’s have pulled banners from their stadium walls, which depicted Arenas emerging from the team slogan alongside the words: “Character. Commitment. Connection.”

What began as an alleged harmless locker room stunt, has quickly transformed into a sad and regrettable action. Aside from the Wizards loosing a key player and the NBA’s further tarnishing––what is most disconcerting, is the possible dissolving of a once great, once charming, star athlete.