Bad News Plagues Zach Randolph

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The last 24 hours haven't been good for NBA All-Star Zach Randolph after being mentioned in police reports in two different states in two days. First the Grizzlies forward was linked to an Indianapolis drug ring, and is now being mentioned in a Los Angeles strip club beat down.

Randolph's first call of foul play came to light late Wednesday when a report out of Indianapolis named him as the owner of four vehicles seized in a drug investigation, including a 2008 Cadillac Escalade driven by Randolph's longtime friend Arthur Boyd. According to the affidavit, Boyd was arrested May 11 with 3 ounces of marijuana inside the SUV. The ongoing investigation started after an informant told police Randolph was supplying individuals in Indianapolis with marijuana, several nice vehicles and a residence. Randolph has not been arrested or charged, but could face questioning in an ongoing investigation.

Randolph's legal troubles don't stop in Indiana; in Los Angeles a man claims he had been badly beaten by a friend of Randolph's around 2:00am Thursday at a strip club. According to TMZ.com, the victim, Gary Ferguson, told police Randolph was present at the club, but did not strike him during the alleged attack. This isn't Randolph's first run-in with Ferguson. Ferguson sued Randolph last year after claiming the Grizzlies forward attacked him at a pizza restaurant in 2008. So far, no charges have been filed in Thursday morning's attack.

Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace released a statement early Thursday afternoon, saying:

"Since Zach Randolph joined this organization, he has been an active member of the Memphis community and embraced our core values of hard work and leadership. These qualities helped him develop into an NBA All-Star this season and guided one of the NBA's youngest teams to a 16-game improvement.

Due to the ongoing police investigation, we do not feel it would be appropriate to comment further. Unless some other information surfaces, Zach remains a valued member of the Grizzlies family and Memphis community."

Fans in Memphis agree with Wallace and feel they should wait until all the facts are gathered before passing judgment.

"I really just want to hear the whole story come out. I really don't have a side right now but I'm just hoping that it's false," said Vedo Tutwiler, a Grizzlies fan.

Another Grizz fan, Mack Bryson said, "All I hear about is good stuff that he does so I really can't go by allegations of what his friend did."

Meanwhile, Grizzlies fans anxiously await the fate of their lone all-star last season, who when asked about his troubled past in February, told FOX13 he hoped troubled teens and young people could learn from his mistakes.

"Be strong, you always can turn your life around and change by doing the right things. Being around good people and just focus and leave the negative stuff alone," Randolph said last February.