Georgia's Department of Public Safety on Tuesday launched an investigation into a traffic stop last week involving Anthony Morrow, a nine-year NBA player who says he was pulled over without cause.
Morrow, 31, told The Charlotte Observer on Monday that he was stopped in Commerce, Georgia, last week while he was driving from Charlotte to Atlanta to pick up his 8-year-old daughter. He said he was frisked and his car was searched by drug-sniffing dogs.
Morrow said he was racially profiled and said he intended to file a complaint against the officers who stopped him.
"I was humiliated on the side of the road," Morrow said. "I had my [car's] hood up and the trunk up. How much more did they need?"
Morrow first shared details of his traffic stop on social media.
The Georgia State Patrol told The Observer the stop was for a window-tint violation and that Morrow received a warning.
The Department of Public Safety said in a news release Tuesday that, "a formal investigation has been initiated to determine the facts surrounding the traffic stop, and the results of the investigation will be made public at its conclusion."
The 6-foot-5 Morrow most recently played for the Chicago Bulls and is currently a free agent. He is a Charlotte native and played his college ball at Georgia Tech.
The traffic stop was on Thursday. Morrow, driving a Dodge Challenger, said after he provided his license, registration and insurance, the officers immediately asked, "Are there any drugs, large sums of money or guns in this car?"
Citing a sweet smell, the officers asked to search the car, Morrow said. He said no. Police then frisked him for weapons and called in dogs to search for drugs.
"They forced me out of my car with no probable cause," Morrow said. "I felt degraded. I know what I stand for: humanity and peace."
Morrow was signed by the Golden State Warriors as an undrafted rookie in 2008. A shooting guard with a prowess for 3-point shooting, he did stints with the New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans. In 2014, he signed a three-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was traded to the Bulls in February.