Ex-Michigan State basketball star Keith Appling sentenced; other cases pending

DETROIT – Former Michigan State basketball star Keith Appling was sentenced Thursday after taking a plea deal last month.

Appling pleaded guilty to one count of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of attempting to resist and obstruct a police officer. 

Recommended Videos



The judge followed the sentence agreement for five years of probation and one year in the Wayne County Jail without early release.

The charges stemmed from an Aug. 28, 2016 incident in Detroit. Police said a blue 2013 Dodge Charger was stopped after it was seen committing a traffic violation at 7 Mile Road and Russell Avenue. According to police, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and asked for the drivers license. Police said when the officer reached for the license, the driver, later identified as 24-year-old Appling, rolled up his window and drove off.

Appling was pursued and eventually arrested in the area of State Fair Avenue and Orleans Street on the city's east side. In addition to the carrying a concealed weapon and resisting and obstructing, Appling was charged with fleeing and eluding and felony firearm. Those last two charges were dropped as part of his plea deal. 

Appling arrested 3 times in 6 months

The August arrest was Appling's third arrest in less than 6 months.

In June, Appling was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle. He was in the backseat of his brother's vehicle when they were pulled over for speeding in the area of Hanna Street and 7 Mile Road. Appling allegedly tried hiding a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson under a car seat.

In May, Appling was arrested in the parking lot a of a Dearborn strip club on Michigan Avenue. Police allegedly found a handgun, a small amount of suspected marijuana and a loaded AK-47 in the trunk of his car.

Appling is a Detroit native who played basketball for Pershing High School and then MSU before spending the last year with the Orlando Magic's Developmental League team. He went undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft.

Watch previous reports on the arrests:

Sign up for ClickOnDetroit breaking news alerts and email newsletters