Kyle Singler arrested: Ex-Duke star and retired NBA player accused of domestic violence
Former NBA player and Duke star Kyle Singler was arrested in Whitefield, Oklahoma, on allegations of domestic violence, according to authorities. Deputies said Singler, who retired from professional basketball in 2019, allegedly assaulted his girlfriend at an Airbnb where they were staying with their child.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim told police that Singler attempted to rape her and physically pushed her to the ground. Investigators said the woman had hand-shaped marks on her face, consistent with an assault.
“It looked like he hit her in the face like he would a basketball and pushed her down, that’s what she said,” said Mitch Dobbs of the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office, per KWTV.
Authorities noted that Singler appeared under the influence of narcotics and did not fully cooperate during the investigation. The toddler present in the residence was unharmed, according to the report. Singler, 36, was taken into custody and later released on bail.
The difficulties faced by single people after retirement are part of a pattern that emerged last November, when he posted disturbing videos on social media in which he appeared shirtless and disoriented, claiming he feared for his life and describing experiences of mistreatment and abuse. The messages drew support from former NBA teammates and peers, including Kevin Love, Andre Drummond and Isaiah Thomas, who urged fans to offer their support to Singler.
The incident in Oklahoma marks a worrying escalation in Singler’s personal problems since leaving the professional game.
Singler was a star at Duke, where he helped the Blue Devils win the 2010 NCAA Tournament and was named Final Four MVP. He was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 2008 and earned ACC recognition four times during his college career, scoring a total of 2,392 points, which ranks him fourth on Duke’s all-time scoring list behind JJ Redick, Johnny Dawkins and Christian Laettner. Singler went on to play 356 games in the NBA.
The Detroit Pistons selected Singler in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft. He spent three seasons with the organization before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2014 to 2018. Singler also played overseas before announcing his retirement in October 2019.
