(Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) (Photo by Michael Mulvey for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
A ‘Shark Tank’ fan would likely vouch that long-time judge Mark Cuban is the type to keep it real. That’s the same energy he brought to a recent ‘Club Shay Shay’ interview. At one point, Mark also explained why he’s moved on from trying to help Delonte West.
Additionally, he opened up about why he’s rooting for VP Kamala Harris in the presidential race despite personally knowing GOP nominee Donald Trump.
Cuban says he ultimately chilled on trying to help Delonte after he had abandoned rehab a few times in a three-year span. The former Mavericks owner told Shannon Sharpe it felt “brutal” to see someone who played for his team struggle.
“I thought we had [Delonte West] turned around. We sent him down to Jason Williams’ place in Florida,” Cuban said, adding that he was receiving progress photos. “Then, Donte throws his sh*t over the fence, disappears. We bring him back again, making progress, this is it, same sh*t. Only so much you can do.”
Cuban added, “Mental illness is real. It is real, and you don’t just wish it away, just rehab it away.”
As previously reported, in September 2020, Mark was spotted with Delonte. By then, footage of the former Mavericks player wandering the streets of Dallas had gone viral on social media. A few months later, in November2020, Mark Cuban shared a Delonte West update, writing, “It’s an uphill battle, but he is climbing!”Cuban shared photos of West on a farm and kayaking with the X (formerly Twitter) post. Reports at the time said West was in a rehab facility.
In Oct. 2022, Cuban told TMZ Sports that he’d been keeping in contact with West. At the time, he implied that the former pro-athlete was battling substance abuse and mental health struggles. “He’s at a point in his life where he’s got to want to be helped,” Cuban said. A few months before that, in June 2022, West appeared to be pushing through, even reportedly landing a job in flooring. But that same year, Wesr also got arrested for vehicle trespassing, fleeing from officers, and public intoxication, per Fox5 DC.
Mark’s energy while on ‘Club Shay Shay’ matches what he ultimately told TMZ Sports back then. “You know, he’s got to want to help himself first. I’ve tried. I know it’s tough on him, but I wish him nothing but the best.”
Earlier this year, in June, Delonte was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia. The warrant was reportedly issued for violations of conditions of release and resisting arrest. West posted bond on June 7th, per Fox 5 DC.
