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Recent Grizzlies cut D.J. Stephens arrested on domestic abuse charges

Ben Rohrbach
·Senior NBA writer
Two days after being cut by the Memphis Grizzlies, D.J. Stephens was arrested for aggravated assault. (Getty Images/Shelby County Sheriff's Office)
D.J. Stephens was arrested for aggravated assault. (Getty Images/Shelby County Sheriff’s Office)

Former University of Memphis wingman D.J. Stephens submitted an impressive preseason performance with the Memphis Grizzlies, and while he was cut by the team on Saturday, it appeared that after three seasons playing the D-League and overseas, there was hope for his NBA career.

That hope may be in jeopardy now.

Stephens, 25, was arrested on domestic aggravated assault charges Wednesday night for allegedly attacking his child’s mother outside a Memphis home on Monday evening, per multiple reports.

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

The woman told police that she and Stephens were arguing when he grabbed her wrists and pushed her down. She told police that when she got up Stephens grabbed her by her neck and threw her on the ground.

When she got up again, she said, Stephens grabbed her arm and threw her to ground again, causing her to hit her head on the pavement. She told police that Stephens left on foot as she lay on the ground dazed with blurry vision.

She called 911 and was transported to the hospital, where police observed multiple bruises, cuts and scrapes on her arms, neck and face, as well as a swollen and bloodshot left eye, per WREG-TV.

After retweeting a picture of their daughter the woman posted to Twitter, Stephens sent this eerie message on social media, less than 10 minutes after the alleged assault took place at 5:45 p.m.

Stephens averaged nine points and 4.4 rebounds in five appearances, including one start, for the Grizzlies during the preseason. He played four seasons at Memphis, earning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and third team all-conference honors as a senior in 2013. Since then, Stephens has split time abroad — in Greece, Turkey and Russia — and Stateside, where he’s had two D-League stints and played either summer league or preseason for the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers and Grizzlies. During the 2013-14 season, he made his NBA debut for the Milwaukee Bucks, playing three games on a 10-day contract in March 2014.

Stephens participated in the 2016 D-League dunk contest as a member of the Cavaliers’ D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, before being traded to the Grizzlies’ D-League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, and earning Performer of the Week honors at the end of March. After falling short of a roster spot some believed he would earn, Stephens was reportedly considering offers to play overseas again.

Those plans will have to wait. According to the Commercial Appeal, Stephens remains in jail with no bond set, and he is scheduled for a video arraignment on the domestic abuse charges on Friday.