US star Anthony arrested for drink driving

Basketball star Carmelo Anthony was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving yesterday, hours after leading his Denver Nuggets to a victory over the Houston Rockets.

Anthony was pulled over in his Mercedes on a freeway near downtown Denver after he was spotted weaving and failing to dim his high-beam headlights, Denver Police Det. Sharon Hahn said. Anthony was alone in the car when he was stopped around 4 a.m., she said.

In a statement, Anthony, 23, said he regrets the incident.

"Carmelo apologises to his fans, the Denver community, his team-mates and the Nuggets organisation for the distraction this is causing them," the statement said.

Anthony was taken into custody, booked and later released after consenting to a blood test. He has a court date scheduled for May 14.

On Sunday night, he scored 11 points as the Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets 111-94 to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Anthony is one of the NBA's most versatile players, averaging 25.8, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season.

The 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward is in his fifth season with the Nuggets and is a two-time All Star.

He was suspended for 25 games during the 2006-2007 season for punching New York Knicks guard Mardy Collins in the face during one of the NBA's worst brawls.