Former NBA Player Accused Of Stealing $100,000, Beating Up Teen In Violent Home Invasion

A former NBA player is accused of breaking into a house in Georgia, stealing $100,000 and beating up a teenager.

James Edward "J.J." Hickson Jr., 29, was arrested and charged with home invasion, aggravated assault and armed robbery with a knife on June 15, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta.

He allegedly broke into the house in unincorporated Senoia around 10:30 a.m. through a side door with a knife, authorities said, stole the large sum of cash, and several other items and then left.

A neighbor named Mary Taylor told WSB-TV that she saw the 17-year-old victim run out of the house after the robbery, with a broken nose.

"When he told me what happened," she said, "I was so nervous I couldn't even punch in [911] in my phone."

Authorities did not say why Hickson chose that particular house, which is 60 miles away from his own in Smyrna.

The targeted house is at the end of the street near a stop sign, and a neighbor told WSB-TV that they spotted the getaway car five hours before the robbery.

"They jumped in the car and took off real fast," a witness told the station.

Authorities said they believe at least two people were involved in the robbery, but so far only Hickson has been charged.

He was booked into the Coweta County jail without a bond.

Hickson played high school ball in Marietta and college ball at NC State. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the 19th overall pick in the 2008 draft, according to ESPN.com. He made at least $27 million during his eight season career, and he played for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers and the Sacramento Kings.

Since his NBA career ended in the 2015-16 season, he's been playing overseas, most recently in 2018 with the Champville team in the Lebanese Basketball League.

[Photo: Getty]