Malik Dunbar: Scottish basketball club Caledonia Gladiators 'unaware' player was 'suspect in US gun murder'

16 January 2025, 10:37 | Updated: 16 January 2025, 15:46

A basketball player who was sacked this week by a Scottish club is believed to be a suspect in a US gun murder.

Malik Dunbar, 28, has been let go by Caledonia Gladiators for a separate matter, with the club saying it later became aware of the shooting allegations.

Dunbar signed for the East Kilbride-based team at the beginning of December, two months after reportedly being named as a suspect in a fatal shooting in Augusta, Georgia.

Arthur Braxton, 32, was gunned down in a car park outside Mexican restaurant El Presidente on the evening of 4 October.

At the time, Richmond County Sheriff's Office said he had been shot at least once and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force said a person was detained for questioning as an investigation got under way.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office told Sky News the suspect in the homicide had the name Malik Dunbar.

In a statement on Wednesday, Caledonia Gladiators said it had this week terminated the contracts of both Dunbar and fellow player Jared Wilson-Frame due to a "serious breach of club discipline".

The nature of the incident is unknown.

The club added: "Following this breach, we have since been made aware of serious allegations circulating on a separate matter in relation to Malik Dunbar in the US and prior to his arrival with the club but we cannot comment on any potential police investigation.

"We work with reputable sports agencies who supply players to clubs across the world and no allegations were disclosed as part of our due diligence process.

"As such, an internal review has now been launched with the relevant stakeholders."

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Dunbar was born in North Augusta, South Carolina, and has played for the likes of the Auburn Tigers, the San Diego Clippers, and the Santa Cruz Warriors.

He has also played for the Artland Dragons in Germany and in 2019 was on the roster for Golden State Warriors' NBA Summer League team.

On Instagram on Tuesday, the sportsman posted a picture of himself and Wilson-Frame in action for the South Lanarkshire team, which currently competes in the Super League Basketball division.

He wrote: "That's it that's all."

Dunbar was contacted for comment.

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