NBA's Cam Payne Busted After Using Fake Name with Cops

NBA player Cameron Payne underestimated the importance of following orders by police, leading to his unusual arrest. The 29-year-old was arrested in mid-June after he and his girlfriend started an argument early in the morning. Payne and his partner called police to their home in Scottsdale around 2:44 a.m. on June 14 — they informed authorities that their issue had been resolved but the NBA player's refusal to give his real name to the police escalated the scene.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 2: Cameron Payne #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on before the game against the New York Knicks  during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Payne told the Scottsdale Police Department officer that his name was, in fact, "Terry Johnson" as the authorities sought information for their investigation. He then informed the authorities that it was an alias, leading to his arrest and being charged with one count of false reports to law enforcement, per TMZ Sports.

"No, that’s my fake name. Can you please leave?" Payne reportedly told the SPD officer, adding, "If you want to arrest me for giving you a fake name, congratulations."

Payne certainly learned his lesson for his identity theft, though the name "Terry Johnson" may follow him around for a while. He last played for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2024. The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted him 14th in 2015. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 2: Cameron Payne #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Play dumb games and win dumb prizes.

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