NBA Draft Prospect Charged With Murder

4.27.20

Teshaun Hightower, Guard for the Tulane Green Wave

Upon the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft, we now await for the NBA to take its turn, currently scheduled for June 25th. For one player, it seems this is no longer going to the be the happiest day of his life. Teshaun Hightower is a junior, who plays guard for the Tulane Green Wave. Over this past weekend, Hightower was arrested, and is being charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the act of a felony, and battery.

Hightower was Tulane’s top scorer of the 2019-2020 season, after transferring from Georgia where he had played his first two years. On April 18th, Hightower shared on his Instagram page that he would be entering the 2020 draft, with one year left of college eligibility. This comes just ten days after the reported murder. Tulane immediately released Hightower from the team, and now we will have to wait to hear what comes from the judge.

With almost 8,000 followers on Instagram, Tulane was a popular and loved basketball player. The comments on his post are very two-sided, and made me think a little. Of course, there are many that are dragging him, saying how cold you’ve got to be to declare for the draft, thanking The Lord, and all this ten days after a murder. Others are saying that they know him, and they think it was a wrong place, wrong time kind of guy, and that Hightower would never do something like this. The comment that got me, stated “wow, you’re either cold as hell, or the boy the didn’t do it.”

Hightower’s post was very spiritual and thankful for his opportunity to play at his current level, and the ability to join the NBA. Perhaps by doing so, he is convincing himself he is a person of The Lord, and his mistakes will be forgiven, as his talent outshines the bad. Or, maybe he really didn’t do it? Who could act this way, after partaking in the most inhumane crime?

The incident occurred the morning of April 8th in an apartment complex in Georgia, where a 24 year old died from gun shot wounds. There were six men, including Hightower, whom were arrested in connection to this case. I do not currently believe there is enough information on the table, to have a real opinion on what Hightower did or did not do. I’d like to know that there is video evidence that they were all present at this time, and that Hightower was armed and aggressive to the victim. I’m sure this will all be brought to our attention soon, however, the 2020 Draft is a for sure wash for the young talent.

UPDATE 4.28: Hightower’s lawyer states that it was, in fact, his brother whom pulled the trigger. Allegedly, the victim came out of the apartment building, holding a gun, and aimed it at Teshaun. It was then, that Teshaun’s brother pulled the trigger, in self-defense, which ultimately killed the victim. We’ll see where the judge takes this family from here.