MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson is claiming he was racially profiled ata jewelry store near Milwaukee on Monday.
Henson made the claim in a lengthy Instagram post Monday. He says he visited the Schwanke-Kasten jewelry store in Whitefish Bay.
The Instagram post reads as follows:
“Went to @schwankekasten jewelry today in Whitefish Bay during regular business hours.
They locked the door and told me to go away.
After I rang the doorbell twice everyone went to the back. No (one) answered the door or told me what was going on. This was followed by two police cars pulling up and parking across the street and watching me for 5 minutes. I assumed they were called by the store.
I was then approached by 2 officers and questioned about the dealer vehicle I was in which is a part of my endorsement deal with Kunes Country Chevrolet and asked me what I wanted amongst other things that were just irrelevant to me being there just trying to shop at the store like a normal paying customer would do.
I told them I was just trying to look at a watch. He then had to go in the back and tell them to come out -- it was safe -- but this is after they ran my plates and I overheard them talking about doing more of a background check on the car. The employees finally came out of the back and proceeded to conduct business like they previously were as we walked up . This was one of the the most degrading and racially prejudice things I've ever experienced in life and wouldn't wish this on anyone . This store needs to be called out and that's what I'm doing . You have no right to profile someone because of their race and nationality and this incident needs to be brought to light and I urge anyone who ever is thinking of shopping here reads this and doesn't bring any business to this discriminatory place."
The Milwaukee Bucks have issued the following statement to WITI:
"We've spoken with John about what happened. It's very troubling to all of us. Nobody should be treated that way. We are trying to contact the store directly."
WITI spoke to several people who said the store's owners have been robbed in the past.
In June 2012, Henson was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. On October 19, 2013, the Bucks exercised their third-year team option on Henson's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2014–15 season.
In October 2014, the Bucks exercised their fourth-year team option on Henson's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.
In October 2015, Henson signed a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the Bucks.
