Former NBA player Chandler Parsons found himself the victim of an elaborate scam that cost him $1 million. The scam, orchestrated by Georgia businessman Calvin Darden Jr., involved convincing Parsons that he was investing in the development of Indiana Pacers’ player James Wiseman.
The scam came to light during a recent trial in New York, where Darden was convicted of multiple counts of fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. According to court documents, Darden, posing as a legitimate businessman, managed to deceive Parsons into believing that his $1 million investment would support Wiseman’s career development.
Parsons, who had a nine-year career in the NBA, was not the only victim. Former NBA star Dwight Howard was also scammed out of $7 million by Darden, who convinced him that the money was an investment towards purchasing the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Instead, Darden used the funds for personal luxuries, including cars, a piano, art, luxury watches, and a down payment on a $3.7 million home.
The revelation of the scam has left many in the basketball community stunned. Parsons, known for his savvy investments off the court, was caught off guard by the sophisticated nature of Darden’s scheme. The involvement of Wiseman, who was unaware of the scam, added an unexpected twist to the story.
As Darden awaits sentencing, which could see him face up to 14 years in prison, Parsons and Howard are left to recover from the financial impact of the scam.
