Former Dallas Mavericks guard Delonte West. (Photo : Getty Images)
Former NBA point guard Delonte West is attempting a comeback to the world's premier basketball league, according to the player's mother, Delphina Addison.
West's turbulent life has been widely reported by the media since he was released by the Dallas Mavericks in October of 2012.
The 2011-2012 season had become his last in the NBA and from there he spent a few month's on the NBA's Developmental League with the Texas Legends before signing a one-year deal with Chinese Basketball Association squad Fujian Sturgeons in October 2013.
West had a chance to get back in the NBA when he suited up for the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2014 Summer League, but he did not make the cut in the regular season. In December of that year, he signed a one-year contract with the Shanghai Sharks, a team owned by fellow former NBA player Yao Ming, for his second stint in China. However, he was waived by the Sharks after only four appearances for undisclosed reasons.
In January of 2015, he took another shot at professional basketball by signing a deal with Venezuelan squad Guaros de Lara, although he ended up leaving the team without playing a single game for it. Two months later he was re-acquired by the Legends, but was released a month later after suffering a season-ending injury.
From there, it has been more downhill for West as he was "spotted looking destitute in Houston, acting erratically at a kid's basketball game, and asking people for change at an intersection in Maryland", as per Complex.
A lot of reports also surfaced about his worsening mental health condition and so this news of him trying to pull off an NBA comeback is said to be refreshing for his fans.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Addison said that his son is "back on his medication and in a good place" and is attempting to return to the NBA.
"He is working toward coming back to the NBA. He has been working out and that's where he's at as of now," West's mother said.
"People did see him holding a sign but what they don't know was there was a homeless guy standing out across from my place and Delonte saw him and wanted to help him out. Delonte is not homeless. He's living with his wife and kids," said Addison.
"He is a heck of a player ... and he said, 'It's showtime!' He's ready to come back," she added.
