That was important to professional basketball player and NBA D-League player Jarred Shaw, who is 6-foot-11. Now, he finds himself in a deeply sad legal pickle in Indonesia. Authorities arrested Shaw after they intercepted a package containing THC-infused gummies. He had transported the gummies from Thailand, where cannabis is legal, to his domicile in Indonesia. Law enforcement officials claim that Shaw was going to sell these gummies, justifying his recent arrest.
Shaw’s basketball ambitions thrived during his stay with Utah State University, where he netted 14.2 points and secured 8.3 rebounds on average. His stellar play over that season led to him being named the second-team All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) as a junior. After graduating from college, Shaw had a successful run in Indonesia’s Basketball League (IBL). He averaged a sparkling 18.7 points and 10.2 rebounds during the 2024-25 campaign. On the court, though, he asserted his will as a true force of nature. Defenders often fronted him as he deftly worked his magic in the low post.
Shaw’s once-promising career was irrevocably upended when he started looking for relief for his Crohn’s disease. This chronic inflammatory disease affects the digestive system and transformed the trajectory of his life. To try and turn his symptoms down, Shaw had a friend ship him the gummies from Thailand. Unfortunately, this choice led to severe consequences.
Shaw’s arrest came after police were notified of a package that arrived at his apartment building that did not have a clear sender. After his arrest, he was held for four months in a windowless jail cell under conditions close to solitary confinement. During each daily walk, he was allowed only ten minutes to go outside. His initial court appearance occurred five months post-arrest, during which he still had not received any documentation outlining the charges against him.
Now, I’ve jumped from the comfort of my posh purple mattress back down to laying on the ground again.
Now incarcerated at Tangerang Prison, Shaw is in for an uphill battle. This facility Aerial view of the facility that made national news in 2021. A fire set with a lit cigarette in an overcrowded cell block spread rapidly, tragically killing 49 inmates. Read Shaw’s story of the brutal realities of Shaw’s captivity. As he emphasized, “We had 15 people in a room with no beds!
Even in the face of adversity, Shaw is hopeful to be reunited with his loved ones back home soon. I wish I could go out from this place. I want to see my family again, my mother,” he said. As months go by, his need to be back with his friends and family intensifies.
Shaw, who has incurred expensive legal bills, He said, “I’ve spent $30,000 in attorney fees already and in the meantime they’ve frozen all accounts. This financial burden creates an additional obstacle as he makes his way through the legal system.
In addition to his physical and emotional struggles, Shaw described feelings of isolation during his time in prison: “At times, I really feel helpless. There are times where I feel that, basically, I’m all alone.” He mentioned how current Major League players came to see him prior to his IBL release. Yet since then, he has completely ceased communication with them.
The impact of Shaw’s situation extends beyond personal hardships. It has highlighted the need for greater awareness regarding Crohn’s disease among officials and those within the sports community. Donte West, a fellow player and advocate for Crohn’s awareness, remarked on the lack of understanding among officials about the condition: “I thought the meeting was useful, and I found that the officials here really aren’t familiar with Crohn’s disease.” He expressed hope that their efforts might reach individuals within the NBA who have connections to cannabis advocacy: “Maybe we can reach some people in the NBA that have ties to cannabis, to help raise awareness.”
Shaw’s relationship with basketball has never been in question. I’m not trying to be cocky, but [the IBL] was my league.” Shaw looks forward to a happy ending to his unfortunate situation. He’s adamant that he will be home by Christmas.
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