Walker tees off in golf tourney after arrest

updated 4:33 p.m. ET July 17, 2009

LAS VEGAS - Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker is playing golf this weekend in northern Nevada before a scheduled court date Monday in Las Vegas in a case involving an $822,500 gambling debt.

Walker, who last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008, teed off Friday in a celebrity golf tournament at Lake Tahoe a day after posting $135,000 cash bail following his arrest at Harrah's Tahoe.

Walker, 32, of Chicago made no mention of his arrest at the start of play in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. His lawyer, Jonathan Powell in Las Vegas, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Phil Weidinger, a tournament spokesman, said neither Walker nor tournament officials would comment about the arrest.

Walker competed in a pro-am Thursday, playing in the first round of the 54-hole tourney with actors Dennis Haysbert and Bruce McGill.

Douglas County sheriff's Sgt. Jim Halsey said a Harrah's Tahoe employee who had seen a television news report about an arrest warrant issued Wednesday for Walker recognized the 6-foot-9 power forward Thursday in a casino bar and summoned deputies.

Slideshow   Celebs in golf Which of your favorite athletes and celebs have game on the golf course? Check out the most recognizable field in golf playing at this year's American Century Championship. NBCSports.com

Walker may not have to appear in court in person, a clerk for Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson said. The judge could allow his lawyer to stand in for him to receive a preliminary hearing date.

Walker is accused in a criminal complaint filed earlier this month of three felony counts of writing bad checks. Each charge carries a possible one- to four-year prison term.

Clark County prosecutors allege Walker failed to make good on 10 checks totaling $1 million written last July through January at Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.

In Nevada, unpaid casino markers, or loans to gamblers, are treated as bad checks and can be turned over to the district attorney for prosecution.

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