NBA star ‘told police his name was Terry Johnson’ before arrest

NBA guard Cameron Payne was reportedly put in handcuffs after telling police his name was in fact ‘Terry Johnson’.

It’s claimed that the free agent called the cops shortly before 3am on June 14 after getting in an argument with his girlfriend in Arizona.

But the 29-year-old was eventually arrested and thrown in jail because he refused to give his real name. Instead, according to TMZ, he chose the alias ‘Terry Johnson’.

After calling the cops, the former 76ers player reportedly told officers they were no longer needed because he and his girlfriend had calmed down – and their argument was only verbal.

According to a police report – via TMZ – cops were ready to wrap up their investigation once they had Payne’s name and date of birth.

Click here to resize this module

But the 29-year-old is accused of using a fake name. Police told Payne that they did not believe his claims to be ‘Terry Johnson’.

The NBA player was also warned that he would be put in handcuffs if he refused to come clean. But Payne’s reported response was: ‘That’s fine’

Officers claim to have told Payne repeatedly that they would leave if he co-operated. At one point, it’s claimed, he did use his real name before backtracking: ‘No, that’s my fake name, can you please leave?’ Payne said.

‘If you want to arrest me for giving you a fake name… congratulations,’ he is reported to have said.

Payne was eventually taken to jail where he was booked on charges of refusal to provide a truthful name and false report to law enforcement. He was reportedly released shortly after.

The 29-year-old was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 14th overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft. He played for the Bulls, the Cavaliers, the Suns, the Bucks and – most recently – the 76ers before entering free agency last month.