Ex-NBA player Keon Clark sentenced to 8 years in prison

AP

DANVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Former NBA player Keon Clark has received an eight-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to two charges.

Edgar County Circuit Judge Matthew Sullivan signed off Wednesday on Clark's plea agreement with prosecutors.The News-Gazette in Champaign reports the 38-year-old Danville native tearfully said in court he has to own up to his past.

Clark has been in the Vermilion County jail since Aug. 4. He faced weapon, drug and traffic-related charges. On Wednesday he pleaded guilty to weapons and driving under the influence charges in two separate cases.

Defense attorneys requested that the judge recommend Clark serve time at a state Department of Corrections drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility outside Chicago.

Clark, a 6-11 center, was picked 13th overall out of UNLV in the 1998 NBA draft. He played in six NBA seasons for the Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz. He finished his career in 2004 averaging 8.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 353 games.