• Kyle Singler arrested Thursday in Oklahoma after allegedly assaulting girlfriend and threatening rape.
• Police say former Duke star appeared on drugs, victim showed visible injuries on face and arms.
• Arrest follows troubling Instagram videos last year where Singler said he feared for his life daily.

WHITEFIELD, Okla. (TDR) — Former NBA forward Kyle Singler was arrested Thursday in Haskell County after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and making violent threats while appearing to be under the influence of drugs, according to police reports.

Deputies in Whitefield received a call from a woman who said she was running from Singler, her live-in boyfriend and the father of her toddler. The woman told authorities Singler was chasing her and attempting to reach the child during the incident.

Details from the arrest affidavit

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According to the probable cause affidavit, the 37-year-old former Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder player allegedly became violent after his girlfriend refused his sexual advances. When she declined, Singler reportedly said he would “just rape her” and began grabbing her head and pushing her to the ground.

The arresting officer noted that Singler appeared to be under the influence of narcotics and was uncooperative during the arrest. The victim had visible finger outlines on her face and bruising on her arms, according to police reports. The child was reported to be safe.

Singler was taken to the Haskell County jail. As of Sunday, no formal charges had been filed, and he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Mental health concerns from 2024

The arrest comes nearly a year after Singler sparked widespread concern across the basketball community with a series of disturbing Instagram videos posted in November 2024. In the shirtless videos, Singler spoke slowly and emotionally about his struggles.

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“I have been mistreated and abused, neglected, made into a mental example,” Singler said in one video. “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 videos, which were shared more than 1,200 times within 12 hours, prompted responses from several NBA players. Kevin Love, who played on Singler’s AAU team before college, wrote, “I love you Kyle. Hit me whenever. Please.” Isaiah Thomas and Andre Drummond also offered their support publicly.

Stellar basketball career

Singler’s post-playing troubles stand in stark contrast to his accomplished basketball career. He was a four-year starter at Duke University from 2007-11 and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player when the Blue Devils won the 2010 national championship alongside current Duke coach Jon Scheyer.

The National Basketball Players Association said it has been “in contact with Kyle’s family” and offers “any and all support to players, whether through their biggest successes or times of challenge.”

Selected 33rd overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, Singler played three seasons with Detroit, earning All-Rookie second team honors in 2013. He then spent parts of four seasons with Oklahoma City before playing overseas. He officially retired from professional basketball in 2019, citing personal reasons.

During his NBA career, Singler averaged 6.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. His professional career spanned seven seasons in the league before he transitioned to playing in Spain.

Community support and next steps

The basketball community’s response to Singler’s mental health crisis last year demonstrated the tight-knit nature of the sport. The NBPA reached out to his family, and numerous former teammates publicly offered their support.

Singler, who grew up in Medford, Oregon and graduated from South Medford High School, was inducted into the Medford Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 after leading South Medford to its first state boys basketball championship.

Should professional sports organizations provide more comprehensive mental health support and transition programs for athletes after their playing careers end?

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