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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:43 a.m., Sunday, March 30, 2008

Ex-NBA player Rider released after arrest in auto theft case

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Former NBA player Isaiah Rider must appear in court next month after being arrested for driving a stolen car.

The 37-year-old Rider was arrested early yesterday morning for investigation of auto theft and was released from Los Angeles County jail in the afternoon. The sheriff's department Web site said he had been held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Rider, who could not immediately be reached for comment, is scheduled to appear in court April 23.

Officer Norma Eisenman said Rider was driving a car that failed to stop at an intersection in the city's Skid Row district. Officers checking the license plates discovered the car had been reported stolen from South Los Angeles, police said. Rider was arrested and the car was impounded.

Rider played at UNLV before starting his pro career in 1993. He played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets before ending his career in 2001.

Rider had a string of arrests during and after his career for drug use, assault and other crimes. He also racked up large fines and suspensions during his career for offenses that ranged from being tardy to practice to spitting at fans.

In January, Berkeley police answering a report of a confrontation between a taxi driver and a passenger arrested Rider on Oakland warrants alleging unlawful firearm possession and grand theft. Last year, he pleaded guilty in Marin County to several charges, including felony cocaine possession, battery and evading a police officer.