James Harden arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm

James Harden, one of the NBA's most recognizable figures, was arrested early Saturday morning in Houston, Texas, on a charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon.

The 36-year-old basketball player was arrested by the Houston Police Department at 3:41 a.m., according to court records. The charge alleges that Harden "unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly" possessed a firearm in his vehicle, which was in "plain view" and "not carried in a holster."

According to The Post, unofficial sources revealed that the athlete was at a hookah lounge in the Texas city with a large group of friends prior to the incident. The player was released on bail Saturday morning but is scheduled to appear in court on June 22 for his arraignment.

James Harden, who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has strong ties to Houston, where he played for nine seasons with the Rockets. It was with the Texas team that he achieved league MVP status in the 2017-18 season and was named to the All-Star Game in every year he was there.