NBA Draft prospect arrested for murder
This isn’t exactly how former Tulane star Teshaun Hightower had envisioned the finals months leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft. But this is now the youngster’s reality.
On Saturday, Hightower was arrested and charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, battery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for a homicide that took place in Stockbridge, Georgia back on April 8th. Along with his brother Jeffery, Hightower is one of six people wanted in the incident.
The victim was 24-year-old Devante Anthony Long whose girlfriend has accused Hightower of being the one to fire the gun. His attorney though, maintains that the youngster wasn’t the one who fired the gun and didn’t do anything wrong.
“He’s innocent. He didn’t shoot anybody,” protested Averick Walker, Hightower’s attorney in an interview with ESPN. “It’s sad that this detective sought to make him out to be a monster and he’s not. When it’s all said and done, it will come out in the wash that the person who did fire the gun shot the gun to protect Teshaun.
“Teshaun’s brother actually fired the weapon and fired in self-defense. The victim came out of the house with a gun in his hand and turned his weapon toward Teshaun to shoot him. That’s why the victim was shot himself.”
Walker claims that under Georgia law, citizens have a right to defend themselves and suggests that’s exactly what had occurred.
“These people have a right to stand your ground,” Walker said. “If somebody threatens you with a weapon, you have a right to stand your ground. The victim was called outside by his girlfriend, and he came out with a gun in his hand.”
The 22-year-old began his NCAA career with Georgia where he spent his freshman and sophomore seasons playing basketball. He played in 29 games in consecutive seasons for the Bulldogs averaging 5.1 points, and 1.7 rebounds. He would eventually transfer to Tulane for his junior year, where he took a real leap and developed as a player.
Hightower led the Green Wave in scoring, averaging 15.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists during his only season with the program. He decided to declare himself eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft on April 18th – just 10 days after Long was shot and killed.
While the guard declared in a tweet announcing his entry into the NBA Draft that he had left the door open for a return to Tulane by retaining his NCAA eligibility, the school wasted no time in dropping Hightower following his arrest. The Green Wave immediately dismissed the star following news of the charges.
The NBA Draft is currently scheduled to take place on June 25th, but it is expected to be pushed back until later in the summer. An announcement regarding whether the NBA will conclude or cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season has yet to be made and it is unlikely for the draft to take place prior to an official decision being made.
