NBA Guard Cameron Payne called 911 shortly before he was arrested in Arizona last month … and in a tense conversation with the dispatcher, he said his name was “Terry Johnson.”
The chat with the Scottsdale Police Department — which lasted more than five minutes — happened on June 14 at around 2:30 a.m. … after the 29-year-old basketball player said he had a verbal argument with his girlfriend.
Initially, you can hear the call audio — obtained by TMZ Sports — that Payne wanted officers to come to his home as soon as possible. But in an exchange of barbs with dispatch, Payne begged the officer to drop the matter.
Payne repeatedly claimed he had called in error and that everything was fine. The dispatcher, however, insisted that Payne cooperate — and asked for his name.
“My name is Terry,” Cameron said. “What’s your last name, Terry?” the officer replied. “Johnson,” Cameron said.
When the dispatcher asked Payne’s girlfriend’s name, the basketball player got a little aggressive.
“I don’t want to tell you because it’s not a big deal, sir,” he said.
“OK,” the officer replied. “Well, you called 911, sir. So, it’s a big problem.”
After several minutes of arguing, Payne finally relented and allowed the dispatcher to send some officers to his home.
But according to police documents, Payne remained uncooperative in person… and repeatedly told officers that his name was Terry Johnson.
Ultimately, Payne was arrested and booked on two separate charges — one count of refusing to give a real name and one count of making a false report to police. Records show he is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing in the case next month.
Despite the incident, Payne — who played for the Suns, Bucks, Sixers and others in his NBA career — still signed a 1-year, $3 million contract with the New York Knicks earlier this month.