Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was taken into custody early Friday morning in Scottsdale on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to police bodycam footage obtained by media outlets.
The traffic stop occurred around 1:00 AM on Friday in Scottsdale, where officers pulled over the professional basketball player after observing his vehicle swerving in and out of traffic lanes. The bodycam footage reveals officers repeatedly commenting on the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, with one officer stating the car smelled like a marijuana dispensary.
During the interaction captured on video, Brooks disputed the officers' account of his driving, asserting that the police vehicle was also swerving on the same roadway. The athlete informed officers he had not consumed alcohol in six months, and footage appears to show him registering a 0.0 blood alcohol concentration on a breathalyzer test administered at the scene.
Brooks was transported to Scottsdale City jail following the arrest and was released at 3:30 AM. The bodycam footage shows the player inquiring about when he could retrieve his Rolls Royce vehicle from police custody.
The timing of the arrest comes as Brooks recovers from a left-hand fracture sustained during a game against the Orlando Magic on February 21. He referenced the injury during his conversation with officers. The player, who averaged 20.9 points per game this season, is scheduled for medical re-evaluation at the end of March or early April.
The Phoenix Suns organization released a statement acknowledging the incident, indicating they are conducting an internal investigation into the matter. The team declined to provide additional commentary pending the completion of their review.
The case raises questions about the intersection of marijuana odor and DUI enforcement in Arizona, where medical marijuana is legal but driving under the influence of any substance remains prohibited. The discrepancy between the zero blood alcohol reading and the arrest on DUI suspicion suggests officers may have suspected impairment from substances other than alcohol.
