ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 23: Steve Francis #3 of the Orlando Magic battles under the basket with Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the TD Waterhouse Centre on December 23, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Former NBA franchise player's fortunes take turn for worse as he turns himself in for burglary

This is just awful.

Former franchise point guard Steve Francis has been pretty troubled ever since he played his last NBA game in the 2007-08 season. He played in China and was cut from the team after a bizarre incident where he came into the game with an ice pack still on and flipped off the refs.

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Last month he was arrested for a DWI and for threatening police during a traffic stop. Now he's turning himself in for a burglary he's admitting to that occurred back in June. The victim of the alleged burglary told ABC13 that Francis asked a bartender to help him find his keys, only to ransack the woman's unlocked car for $7,000 in material belongings while the witness stood watch. Here's the victim's description:

"The bartender went and got a flashlight and went outside and held the flashlight while Steve Francis moved my seats back and forth, stripped the inside of my car of everything, and broke into my lock box," she told the television news station. "He got a diamond ring, and he got my father's wedding band, he got my wallet, my cash, he stole my makeup bag.

"I was saddened to hear that this guy has fallen to this extent. If he needs help and is willing, I think that would be great. I would like restitution for the things he's stolen from me."

Two days after the burglary Francis turned himself into Bradenton police and came with some of the woman's belongings in a plastic bag. He was then released —- despite a confession! —- but then turned himself in again when an arrest warrant was put out for him.

That's not the worst part of his ultimate downfall as he seems to be pretty down emotionally as described by his soon-to-be ex-wife.  Francis, a father of two children, reached a divorce settlement last week. His wife of 10 years alleged in divorce documents that her husband has "severe substance issues" and has been in and out of rehab, according to TMZ Sports. Francis has denied those claims.

Regardless of how he got to this point in his life, it's a sad story to say the least and isn't what his fans ever hoped they would see from him.

[h/t Yahoo.com]