Damian Lillard Calls Out Response to Viral Photo of Caleb Swanigan
Former Trail Blazers big man Caleb Swanigan pleaded guilty on Monday to a minor drug charge in his home state of Indiana.
Swanigan's time in court isn't what made sudden internet headlines on Tuesday. Instead, photos of the former first-round pick entering and leaving his court appearance went viral, with many social media users insensitively critiquing Swanigan's physique.
The Indianapolis native has a long and well-documented history with obesity, which he overcome en route to stardom at Purdue University before Portland selected him with the 27th overall pick of the 2017 draft. In a 2017 story by ESPN's Myron Medcalf, Swanigan candidly discussed how growing up in poverty amid frequent moves contributed to his weight gain. His late father, who struggled with addiction, passed away in 2014 at 500 pounds.
Damian Lillard noticed the ugly bent of most social media reactions to current photos of Swanigan, quickly coming to his former teammate's defense.
Bravo, Dame.
Swanigan played the first year and-a-half of his NBA career with Lillard and the Trail Blazers before a February 2019 trade sent him to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Skal Labissiere. He returned to Portland about a year later as part of the Trevor Ariza trade, earning scant playing time before opting out of the Orlando bubble last July.
Sacramento declined the fourth-year option on Swanigan's contract in October, ensuring he'd be free to sign anywhere for 2020-21. He's currently a free agent.
The 24-year-old will avoid jail time after Judge Douglas Fahl sentenced him to 180 days suspended, in addition to the completion of a substance abuse program and compliance with any prescribed treatments.
Recreational marijuana use is legal in 17 states, and Indiana is one of 36 states that allow medical marijuana use. Multiple state lawmakers recently put forth bills to decriminalize or outright legalize cannabis in Indiana, but only one reform bill, limited in scope, made it to the desk of Governor Eric Holcomb under the Republican-controlled legislature.
Swanigan was pulled over by Columbia City law enforcement in the early-morning hours of December 23. He was arrested and booked into the Whitley County Jail after police officers discovered 3.4 pounds of marijuana, drag paraphernalia and over $3,000 of cash in his vehicle. Swanigan was released on bond.
[h/t Jason Patt, ClutchPoints]