Dennis Rodman checks into rehab

Deepa Bharath

Former NBA superstar Dennis Rodman has gone into alcohol rehab to

clean up his act and to get back in the game, his agent said Tuesday.

Rodman has been going through out-patient treatment with a private

counselor for almost a month, said Darren Prince, his New

Jersey-based agent.

West Newport’s notorious party host made the decision to enter

rehab when he was slapped with a DUI last month in Las Vegas, his

agent said.

Rodman, a frequent visitor to the colorful city, hit a pole while

trying to pop wheelies on a borrowed motorbike outside a strip club.

“Dennis really wants to play basketball again,” Prince said. “He

has been practicing hard for months.”

Rodman, known for his ability to grab rebounds, held a press

conference on July 15 to announce that he would try to make a

comeback.

“We’ve been in talks with plenty of teams,” Prince said. “But

nothing has worked out so far.”

Rodman, who has played for several NBA teams, including the

Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs and the Los

Angeles Lakers, would love to play again for the Lakers, Prince said.

“He’d love to go back and play for Phil,” he said.

The incident in Las Vegas last month was Rodman’s fourth encounter

with the law in the past four months.

In September, Orange County sheriff’s deputies arrested Rodman

near the Cannery Restaurant on suspicion of being drunk in public

after getting complaints that he was seen driving his 47-foot

Fountain powerboat Sexual Chocolate under the influence of alcohol.

Officials said sheriff’s deputies saw Rodman fall to the ground

and determined, after questioning him, that he was intoxicated and

unable to care for himself. Rodman was held in Newport Beach city

jail but was released the same day after he reportedly sobered up.

Also, in September, a jury decided to relieve him of a civil suit

filed by Jo Len Ann McGowen, who alleged Rodman had drugged and

sexually assaulted her in his Seashore Drive home.

In August 2001, Rodman was slapped with two misdemeanors for

allegedly racing his boat in Newport Harbor. Officials waited more

than a month to officially charge him. On Aug. 3, Harbor Patrol

deputies impounded Rodman’s boat because he had reportedly used a

private dock without permission. He paid a $63 fee for towing and

more in fines.