Last week St. Joe’s alumnus Delonte West was again spotted on the streets of Dallas, Texas, begging for money as he struggles to cope with mental illness at 37 years old.

West has been out of NBA for some time now, living on the streets and having trouble dealing with the bipolar disorder that makes it difficult to get him help. Many former teammates and others in the NBA community have tried and failed to provide assistance.

Enter Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who this week was able to track down West at a gas station.

From TMZ:

Sources connected to West’s family tell us that Cuban — who had been trying to reach DW on the phone for days — finally got in contact with Delonte … who agreed to meet the Mavs owner on Monday in Dallas.

We’re told Cuban took West to a local hotel … while his family formulates a game plan.
Our sources tell us West’s circle of fam and friends have been trying desperately to get Delonte to go to rehab … and he now seems open to the idea.

We’re even told Cuban has offered to help cover Delonte’s cost for treatment.

Great stuff. Maybe Cuban is finally able to facilitate a breakthrough here.

The issue in the past has not been a lack of care, or a lack of trying. The issue has been Delonte’s refusal to cooperate as he struggles with his bipolar disorder. As such, it was always going to have to be about him first accepting outside help, before family and friends could execute any kind of structured plan.

Edit:

Shams has an update –