Basketball veteran Marcus Morris Sr. erases $265,000 worth of gambling obligations at a casino.
NBA player Marcus Morris Sr. was arrested on July 27, 2025, at a South Florida airport for writing bad checks totaling approximately $265,000 to two Las Vegas casinos - the MGM Grand and Wynn Las Vegas - in May and June 2024. The checks bounced due to insufficient funds, leading to charges of fraud and theft[1][2][4].
According to reports, Morris took out casino-issued credit lines, known as markers, to gamble. When he failed to repay these markers, the checks he wrote to the casinos bounced, and a warrant for his arrest was issued[1]. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Morris claimed he never intended to skip out on the debt and was "blindsided" by the arrest.
Morris' agent, Yony Noy, indicated on social media that Morris' debts were minuscule. However, the latest updates suggest that Morris has yet to provide any new information about the repayment of the casino debts[2][4].
Morris has faced legal issues in the past, including a 2012 battery charge for which he entered a diversion program. He was also acquitted of assault charges over an alleged 2015 brawl[2].
In his NBA career, Morris started in 509 games and averaged 12 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 26.6 minutes per contest. He played 13 seasons in the NBA from 2011 to 2024, for various teams including the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Morris shot 43.5% from the field and 77.4% from the foul line in his NBA career[2].
Following his arrest, Morris was held in custody awaiting extradition to Nevada. A Florida judge denied him bail, meaning he remained detained until he could be transferred to Nevada to face the charges. As of the latest updates, he was out of jail after posting bond but was still facing ongoing legal proceedings[3][4].
Morris' twin brother, Markieff, downplayed the felony charge, saying the wording was "crazy" and that Morris was embarrassed in public at the airport with his family. However, the case remains a serious matter, with Morris facing possible jail time if found guilty[1].
[1] ESPN
[2] Yahoo Sports
[3] NBC Sports
[4] CBS Sports
[5] TMZ Sports
- NBA player Marcus Morris Sr.'s arrest on July 27, 2025, involved bad checks worth around $265,000 written to two Las Vegas casinos - the MGM Grand and Wynn Las Vegas.
- The checks bounced due to insufficient funds, leading to charges of fraud and theft, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
- Morris claimed on Instagram that he never intended to skip out on the debt, stating he was "blindsided" by the arrest.
- Morris' debts were reportedly incurred through casino-issued credit lines, or markers, for gambling in Las Vegas casinos.
- In his NBA career, Morris averaged 12 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 26.6 minutes per contest, playing for various teams over 13 seasons.
- Following his arrest, Morris faced ongoing legal proceedings, and as of the latest updates, he was still facing possible jail time if found guilty.
