Kyle Singler, a former basketball star at Duke who went on to play six seasons in the NBA, most recently for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was charged with domestic abuse Tuesday for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. The alleged incident happened in front of their child.
Haskell County sheriff’s deputies arrested Singler, 37, on Thursday in the rural Oklahoma town of Whitefield, where he was reportedly staying at an Airbnb with his family. A probable cause affidavit reviewed by the Associated Press and local television network News9 said authorities responded after a witness called 911 to say Singler was chasing a woman outside the residence.
Singler’s girlfriend reportedly told one of the deputies that Singler grabbed her by the head and shoved her to the ground. Deputy Mitch Dobbs, who court records list as the arresting officer, reportedly said in the affidavit that he could see hand marks on the woman’s face and arm. Dobbs noted Singler did not cooperate with authorities and appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, according to the AP.
Jail records show Singler was booked into the Haskell County jail and later released on $6,000 bond.
Singler faces one misdemeanor count of assault and battery in the presence of a child, a charge that carries a six-month to one-year term in county jail upon conviction. He could also face a $5,000 fine if found guilty.
A 2007 McDonald’s All-American and star forward at Duke, Singler won a national championship as a junior with the Blue Devils in 2010. His performance won him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.
The Detroit Pistons selected Singler with the No. 33 pick in the 2011 draft, but his debut was delayed by the NBA lockout. He made the All-Rookie Second Team in 2012 and was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. The team waived him in 2018, ending his NBA career. He announced his retirement from professional basketball on Oct. 17, 2019, after several seasons overseas.
Singler’s arrest comes 11 months after he posted a rambling, 90-second Instagram video that prompted messages of concern from fans and former teammates.
“I have been mistreated and abused, neglected, made into a mental example,” Singler said in the clip. “And I fear for my life every day. And people in my community make me look out as if I’m going to be someone that’s going to be a problem and make things difficult for people when I’m only trying to be helpful.”
The video prompted the NBA Players’ Association to contact Singler’s family, though it did not say whether representatives spoke with him directly. Singler later posted other cryptic videos, but his Instagram is currently inactive. His X account has not posted since 2019.
