What to know about Shawn Kemp, retired NBA All-Star arrested Wednesday in Tacoma shooting

Mar. 9—It isn’t every day a beloved sports star is arrested for drive-by shooting, but that’s what happened Wednesday with Shawn Kemp, a retired Seattle SuperSonics all-star player.

Kemp, 53, was arrested by Tacoma Police Department as a suspect in a shooting at Tacoma Mall earlier that afternoon. No injuries were reported. A video was posted early Thursday morning that allegedly shows Kemp firing a gun.

News of Kemp’s involvement in the shooting has received national attention. Here’s what to know about Kemp’s career and what he’s done since retiring.

Who is Shawn Kemp?

Kemp, known by his nickname “Reign Man,” is a six-time NBA All-Star. He was born in Elkhart, Indiana, and attended Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.

Kemp started his professional career at age 20. The Seattle SuperSonics picked him No. 17 during the 1989 draft’s first round. He started play in Seattle during the 1989-1990 season and continued with the Sonics for eight seasons, through 1996-1997. He then switched to the Cleveland Cavaliers for three seasons, then the Portland Trail Blazers for two and finally the Orlando Magics for one final season before retiring in 2003 at age 33.

Kemp participated in the NBA Finals following the 1995-1996 season. His Sonics team fell to the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, in six games.

During his 14-year NBA career, Kemp participated in more than 1,000 games. He averaged 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds at the power forward and center positions. He was known for his ferocious dunks, videos of which still circulate on social media.

After his basketball career, Kemp tried his hand at a few businesses. In late 2010, he opened a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar in Seattle called Oskar’s Kitchen. He named it after his pet fish, according to Seattle Weekly. The eatery closed in July 2015.

In 2020, Kemp set his sights on the cannabis industry. He opened a dispensary, Shawn Kemp Cannabis, in the Seattle area in October of that year.

Kemp has been arrested in the past on suspicion of drug possession, including marijuana.

This story was originally published March 9, 2023, 11:05 AM.

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