Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas heads up court on Dec. 18 in Sacramento, three days before an alleged gun incident in the team's locker-room. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)NBA commissioner David Stern says Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards will not play while the league determines what his ultimate suspension will be after he brought a gun to the team's locker-room last month.
"Although it is clear that the actions of Mr. Arenas will ultimately result in a substantial suspension, and perhaps worse, his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game," Stern said in a statement Wednesday.
"Accordingly, I am suspending Mr. Arenas indefinitely, without pay, effective immediately pending the completion of the investigation by the NBA."
Stern said he has refrained from commenting or taking an official stance because of the pending criminal investigation by the U.S. attorney's office in Washington. Authorities are still interviewing members of the Wizards organization, he said.
Arenas, who turned 27 on Wednesday, met with law enforcement officials earlier this week.
He has said that he brought four guns to the Verizon Center to store in his locker to get them out of his house and away from his children. He said he mistakenly believed that recent changes in district law made it legal for him to store unloaded guns there.
"I feel very badly that my actions have caused the NBA to suspend me, but I understand why the league took this action," Arenas said Wednesday in a statement. "I put the NBA in a negative light and let down my teammates and our fans. I am very sorry for doing that
"While I never intended any harm or disrespect to the NBA or anyone else, my gun possession at the Verizon Center and my attempts at humour showed terrible judgment. I take full responsibility for my conduct.
"Earlier today, I called commissioner Stern to apologize, and I hope we will be able to talk soon. I look forward to the day I can return to basketball. In the meantime, I will focus on dealing responsibly with this serious situation and I will continue to co-operate fully with the investigations by law enforcement and NBA authorities.
The incident came to light when the New York Post reported that Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other Dec. 21 in a dispute over gambling debts.
Arenas has characterized it as "a misguided effort to play a joke on a teammate." He denied threatening or assaulting anyone.
The Wizards supported Stern's decision in a statement attributed to president Ernie Grunfeld and the Pollin family, which owns the team. The late Abe Pollin changed the team's name from the Bullets because of the violent connotation.
"Strictly legal issues aside, Gilbert's recent behaviour and statements, including his actions and statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable," the statement said. "Some of our other players appeared to find Gilbert's behaviour in Philadelphia amusing. This is also unacceptable. Under Abe Pollin's leadership, our organization never tolerated such behaviour, and we have no intention of ever doing so."
Arenas signed a six-year contract worth $111 million US in the summer of 2008. The guard played just 25 games over the previous two seasons because of injuries but had bounced back this season, averaging over 22 points in 33 games.
With files from The Associated Press
