Filed under: Basketball
The officers approached Ziegler when they saw him hiding inside his car. They were not looking for him, but walked toward him nonetheless. That's when Ziegler hit the gas and drove into one of the officers. He was chased by vehicle for several miles and then on foot.
Ziegler has been charged with attempted murder, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, fleeing in a vehicle and obstruction. Police say they found 85 grams of marijuana and pieces of crack cocaine in the car. He also has several outstanding warrants.
Mayo says that he didn't grow up with his father, but his dad was seen helping his mother, Alisha Mayo, hand out turkeys and hams at Thanksgiving. They live in Huntington, West Virginia.
I admit that a part of me feels for OJ Mayo. When a young man is working to make good decisions and do something good with his life, bad choices by his mentors can serve as a huge distraction. I recall my older brother figure (who was technically my uncle) getting arrested and running from the police when I was in college trying to make a better life for myself. His arrest was sad for me because I looked up to him and spent years trying to help him get his life together. It can be disappointing to spend two decades hoping that someone you love "gets it together" and only watching them continue to make worse decisions over time. It's a very difficult process and I can't imagine the challenges OJ is having as a young millionaire trying to manage family members who might feel that he owes them something.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.