Hornets Guard James Bouknight Arrested On Alleged DWI Charge

NBA: Preseason-Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets
Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Records obtained from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office reveal Charlotte Hornets player James Bouknight was arrested on Sunday morning at approximately two o’clock in the morning. The 22-year-old was charged with DWI after being booked by the Charlotte Mecklenberg Police Department (C.M.P.D). Bouknight was later released on a $2,500 bond.

Robert Littal from Black Sports Online says that a police report obtained by TMZ explains that police allegedly found Bouknight incapacitated in a parking deck at exactly 12:44 am, and that he allegedly had a firearm in his possession. The alleged 40mm handgun was not added to Bouknight’s charges, and Littal reports that police could not tell if the weapon was illegally possessed or not.


Bouknight was present during Monday’s team practice, according to Hornets head coach Steve Clifford. The Hornets issued a brief statement, saying : “We are aware of the incident involving James Bouknight and are in the process of gathering additional information. We will have no further comment at this time.”

This incident is the first of Bouknight’s career as a professional basketball player, but his criminal history shows a string of car-related legal issues that date back to his collegiate career at UConn. In 2019, the young player allegedly had a warrant out for his arrest after he was accused of striking a street sign near school campus & fleeing. Officials say that Bouknight was charged with evading responsibility, interfering with a police officer, traveling too fast for conditions and operation of a motor vehicle without a license. Bouknight was a freshman at the time.

The police officer responding to the accident stated in his report that Bouknight reeked of alcohol, and that he didn’t have any identification on his person when questioned. The officer also accused the player of attempting to flee by running off on foot after he failed to restart the car. Bouknight claimed at the time that he was given permission to drive the car by the owner after he turned himself in. However, the woman allegedly stated that she did not remember ever giving him permission to drive her car. No criminal theft charges were pursued at the time.

Sports Illustrated has more HERE.

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