Former Los Angeles Lakers player Isaiah Rider was arrested for failing to comply with a legal order imposed on him for one count of interfering with judicial proceedings.
Everything dates back to the summer of 2025, when in July, his wife Vanessa requested a restraining order against Rider. In the document, she alleges that her husband had been aggressive with her on several occasions, and even, according to information obtained by TMZ, told her:
Jalen Brunson shuts down Raptors fan with perfect response, then buries a cold-blooded three
You’re gonna get your ass slapped.
Shut the f*** up before I kick this door down and whoop you.
She said those comments were directed at both her and her 15-year-old son. At that time, the former NBA player responded through a statement posted publicly:
I deny the allegations. She did this because I filed for divorce.
The player had filed for divorce in November 2024. The restraining order barred Isaiah from approaching his ex-wife and son, and he was also prohibited from having any type of contact with them or going near the teenager’s school. A hearing is scheduled for December 17, where the order will be reviewed, and it will be determined whether it remains in effect.
The path of Isaiah Rider through the NBA
Isaiah Rider arrived in the NBA in 1993 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he remained for three years. In 1996, he moved to Portland, where he spent another three-year stint before departing to Atlanta, where he stayed for only one season.
At the start of the new millennium, he was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers, remaining with the team for one year before leaving to play his final season with the Denver Nuggets. That franchise would be the one where he ultimately concluded his professional career.
A rocky start in the collegiate world for Isaiah Rider
Isaiah Rider’s transition from the college scene was complicated. One night, he was arrested for throwing a milkshake at a restaurant window, and despite averaging 29.2 points per game, he was suspended by the university.
In spite of the reputation he earned during his college tenure, he was selected fifth overall in the 1993 NBA draft by the Timberwolves. True to his problematic history, he arrived late to his very first practice session.
Putting that aside, his rookie year went very well, as he was able to surpass 30 points on several occasions, making it clear that the team had not made a mistake in selecting him.
His problems with indiscipline followed him throughout his career, which ultimately led him to retire very young, before the age of 30. During that time, he also faced issues related to
