5 Shocking Details Gilbert Arenas Revealed About The Infamous Wizards Gun Incident 15 Years Later

Gilbert Arenas’s infamous 2009 locker room gun incident with teammate Javaris Crittenton remains one of the most shocking and career-defining moments in modern NBA history. Even as of December 2025, the story continues to resurface, not just as a cautionary tale, but with new, raw details being shared by the former "Agent Zero" himself, providing fresh context on the high-stakes card game dispute that nearly turned tragic. The latest reflections, coming over 15 years after the event, peel back the layers on the tension, the bravado, and the devastating consequences that derailed two professional basketball careers. The information reveals that the incident was less about a planned confrontation and more about an escalating, ill-conceived prank gone horribly wrong, highlighting the immense pressure and poor judgment that led to firearms being brought into the Washington Wizards' facility.

Gilbert Arenas: Biography and Career Profile

Gilbert Arenas, known by his popular nickname "Agent Zero," was one of the NBA's most electrifying and unpredictable players during his prime, famous for his scoring bursts and clutch performances. His career trajectory was dramatically altered by the 2009 firearms incident.

• Full Name: Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr.
• Date of Birth: January 6, 1982
• Place of Birth: Tampa, Florida, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
• NBA Draft: 2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 31 (Golden State Warriors)
• NBA Teams: Golden State Warriors (2002–2003), Washington Wizards (2003–2010), Orlando Magic (2010–2011), Memphis Grizzlies (2012)
• Career Highlights and Awards: 3× NBA All-Star (2005–2007), 3× All-NBA Team (2004–2007), NBA Most Improved Player (2003)
• Career Earnings: Approximately $163 million in NBA salary.
• Post-NBA Career: Played briefly in China (2012–2013), transitioned into a prominent sports media personality, podcaster, and commentator.
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): Reported to be between $5 million and $10 million, a significant drop from his peak due to financial issues and poor investments.

The Infamous 2009 Locker Room Showdown: New Details Emerge

The core of the "Gilbert Arenas gun" story stems from a dispute that began during a team flight in December 2009. The altercation, which involved a high-stakes card game and a debt of around $1,100, quickly escalated into a dangerous confrontation in the Washington Wizards locker room. Arenas and his former teammate, Javaris Crittenton, have recently offered candid accounts that reveal the critical sequence of events.

1. It Started Over a Card Game Debt and an Escalating Prank

The initial conflict wasn't about a deep-seated rivalry but a simple gambling debt. Crittenton lost money to Arenas, and when the debt wasn't immediately paid, the exchange turned to insults and threats. Arenas, in a misguided attempt to pull a "prank" and call Crittenton's bluff, decided to bring firearms into the locker room. The core intention, according to Arenas, was to show Crittenton he wasn't afraid, not to initiate a shooting.

2. Arenas Brought Unloaded Guns, Crittenton Responded with a Loaded One

One of the most crucial and recently revealed details is the status of the weapons. Gilbert Arenas reportedly brought four unloaded handguns to the locker room, laying them out with a note challenging Crittenton to "pick one." The situation instantly turned from a foolish prank to a life-threatening scenario when Crittenton, in turn, pulled out a *loaded* gun. This detail underscored the severity of the confrontation and the immediate danger both players were in.

3. The Firearms Were Stored in the Locker Room Due to DC Law

Arenas has repeatedly explained that the reason he had the guns in the locker room in the first place was related to Washington, D.C.'s strict gun laws. He was transporting the firearms from his home in Virginia to a storage facility, and because he did not want to leave them at his D.C. residence, he temporarily stored them in his locker. This poor decision laid the groundwork for the later confrontation.

The Devastating Aftermath and Career Impact

The immediate fallout from the firearms incident was swift and severe, reshaping the careers of both men and sending a clear message across the league about conduct.

4. The NBA Suspension and End of the "Agent Zero" Era

The NBA, under then-Commissioner David Stern, took a hard-line stance. Gilbert Arenas was suspended without pay for the majority of the 2009–2010 season. This suspension cost him millions in salary and severely tarnished his public image. The Washington Wizards eventually traded him, and the combination of the suspension, subsequent injuries, and the negative perception meant the high-flying "Agent Zero" era was effectively over. Arenas later admitted that the weight of the incident made him "really hated the world" and essentially cost him his whole body of work.

5. Crittenton’s Life Spiraled into a Felony Conviction

While Arenas was able to resume his career, albeit briefly and less effectively, the consequences for Javaris Crittenton were far more tragic. The locker room dispute was a precursor to a much darker future. Crittenton was later charged and convicted in 2015 for voluntary manslaughter in the 2011 shooting death of a woman in Atlanta, Georgia. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, a stark and devastating contrast to Arenas’s path.

Gilbert Arenas Today: Life as a Media Personality

Following his retirement from the NBA, Gilbert Arenas has successfully transitioned into the world of sports media, leveraging his outspoken personality and deep basketball knowledge. He is now a popular and often controversial podcaster and commentator, known for his unfiltered and humorous takes on current NBA events and players. His shows and appearances allow him to remain relevant and connected to the game, providing a platform to discuss his career, including the lessons learned from the gun incident. This second career as a media personality is now a major component of his public profile, allowing him to rebuild his image and maintain a presence in the basketball community. The former Washington Wizards star has found a way to monetize his unique perspective, often drawing high viewership due to his willingness to speak candidly about sensitive topics, including the challenges of managing wealth and the pressures of the NBA lifestyle. Despite the financial setbacks and the dark cloud of the 2009 incident, Arenas has carved out a new niche, proving that while a single mistake can derail a career, it doesn't have to define a life.