Kirk Snyder became a national basketball name in March 2004 when he led Nevada to upsets of Gonzaga and Michigan State in the NCAA tournament and into the Sweet 16. Five years later, and the first-round NBA draft pick broke into a neighbor’s house, pummeled a guy, got arrested, and is now awaiting a psychiatric evaluation.

Around 3:40 a.m., a resident at 5387 Commonwealth Drive heard glass breaking downstairs in her townhouse. When she got up to investigate, a tall person pushed her aside and ran to the upstairs bedroom, where he began to assault her sleeping husband, authorities said.

While the man was beating her husband, the woman pulled away a hood covering his head and he then fled out the back door, sheriff deputies said. Peeler said the victim received physical injuries from the alleged assault by Snyder.

The investigation and a canine track led to Snyder’s nearby residence, where he was taken into custody within minutes of the offense, sheriff deputies said.

What could have prompted Snyder to do such a thing?

Kirk Snyder lives five doors from the victims. Beacon Hill subdivision is new– and the few people who live here say they rarely saw the former NBA star because he was overseas playing basketball.

But, at a recent party in the clubhouse– neighbors say Snyder dropped by and, the victim got to know him.

Caller: “We just met him the other day and we befriended him.”

Medics rushed the victim to the hospital. Neighbors say in the brief time they knew Snyder– they never thought he could be violent.

Caller: “Oh, my God. Oh, I don’t understand. We were so kind to him and friendly.”

Police say Snyder didn’t steal anything while he was inside of the house. Investigators say they don’t know why Snyder allegedly broke into the home and beat the victim.

Let’s look on the bright side - at least Snyder didn’t flip out like this in China (where he plays basketball). They’d throw him into jail and we’d never hear from him again.

Psych evaluation order for ex-NBA player arrested (Oxford Press)