NBA Guard Cameron Payne called 911 shortly before he was arrested in Arizona last month … and in a tense exchange with the dispatcher, he said his name was “Terry Johnson.”
The chat with the Scottsdale Police Department — which lasted more than 5 minutes — occurred on June 14 at around 2:30 a.m. … after the 29-year-old basketball player mentioned that he had gotten into a verbal argument with his girlfriend.
Initially, you will be able to listen to the decision in audio — obtained by TMZ Sports Activities —that Payne needed officers to return to his home as soon as possible. However, in a subsequent back-and-forth with dispatch, Payne begged the officer to drop the matter.
Payne repeatedly said he knew by mistake and that everything was OK. The dispatcher, however, insisted that Payne cooperate — and asked for his ID.
“My name is Terry,” Cameron mentioned. “What’s your last name, Terry?” the officer replied. “Johnson,” Cameron mentioned.
When the center asked for the identity of Payne’s girlfriend, the player became a little aggressive.
“I need not tell you, for it is no great matter, sir,” he said.
“OK,” the officer replied. “Well, you called 911, sir. So, it’s a big deal.”
After a few minutes of arguing, Payne finally relented and allowed the dispatcher to send some officers to his home.
However, according to police documentation, Payne remained uncooperative in private… and repeatedly advised officers that his identity was Terry Johnson.
At the end, Payne was arrested and recorded in two separate charges — one for refusing to provide true identification and one for making a false report back to police. The information shows he is due to appear in court for a hearing in the case next month.
Despite the incident, Payne — who has played minutes with the Suns, Bucks, Sixers and others in his NBA career — still signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the New York Knicks earlier this month.