Sacked Caledonia Gladiators player is suspect in US murder case

A basketball player signed and then sacked by Scottish club Caledonia Gladiators is a named suspect in a US murder case.

The East Kilbride-based club say they were unaware that Malik Dunbar was the suspect in the shooting of a man in Augusta.

Arthur Braxton, 32, died after being shot outside Mexican restaurant El Presidente in the city on October 4.

Dunbar signed for Caledonia Gladiators in December but was sacked alongside team-mate Jared Wilson-Frame earlier this week.

The pair had their contracts terminated for disciplinary reasons, but this was not related to the murder enquiry and was related to a non-violent and non-police related issue.

A statement from the club read: “As of January 14, 2025, Caledonia Gladiators can confirm that the club has terminated the contracts of both Malik Dunbar and Jared Wilson-Frame, who joined the club last month, with immediate effect based on a serious breach of club discipline.

“Following this breach, we have since been made aware of serious allegations circulating on a separate matter in relation to Malik Dunbar in the US and prior to his arrival with the club but we cannot comment on any potential police investigation.

“We work with reputable sports agencies who supply players to clubs across the world and no allegations were disclosed as part of our due diligence process. As such, an internal review has now been launched with the relevant stakeholders.”

Caledonia Gladiators said last month that they were delighted to secure the signing of the American shooting guard.

Dunbar made his name at Auburn University playing college basketball and, after not being picked in the draft, played in the NBA Summer Leagues with the Golden State Warriors.

He then played in Egypt, Germany and Colombia, as well as spells with the Agua Caliente Clippers and Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League.