Dennis Rodman has been charged with four misdemeanours stemming from a July incident in which police say the Basketball Hall of Famer was driving the wrong way down a California freeway, causing another driver to crash.

The Orange County District Attorney’s office announced on Monday that it is charging the former Chicago Bulls and NBA star with counts of hit-and-run with property damage, driving a motor vehicle across a highway divider, giving false information to a police officer and driving without a valid license.

Rodman, 55, faces a maximum of two years in county jail if convicted. He is due to be arraigned in January.

Investigators with the California Highway Patrol originally recommended the Orange County prosecutor pursue felony charges against Rodman.

Early on July 20, Rodman was driving an SUV traveling north in a southbound lane on the Santa Ana Freeway section of Interstate 5, police said, forcing a driver in an oncoming BMW to swerve into the centre divider.

The driver told officers Rodman left the scene without exchanging information.

Rodman previously denied the encounter ever happened.

The Orange County District Attorney's office also said Rodman lied to officials during their investigation of the incident.

A representative for Rodman spoke to TMZ Sports on Monday, saying, "We agree that if anything, this is a misdemeanour traffic matter, and certainly not a felony. We appreciate the district attorney evaluation and know that it should resolve successfully when all facts are considered."