Ex-NBA Player Arrested for 3rd Time ... Allegedly Pushed Cops

More trouble for ex-college basketball star Jeff Adrien -- he was arrested for the 3rd time in 2 months after cops say he tried to kick a police officer ... TMZ Sports has learned.

30-year-old Adrien -- who was a stud at UConn and played 5 seasons in the NBA -- was busted in Brooklyn on January 13th after cops say they tried to stop him for a routine traffic violation but he refused to comply.

What ensued was madness ... according to cops, Adrien lost his cool and pushed the arresting officers and "repeatedly kicked" at them.

Eventually, cops took him into custody -- and he was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and operating a vehicle without safety belts.

It's just the latest problem for Adrien -- who was arrested for allegedly attacking a security guard at the Trump Soho on January 10th, and back in December he was popped in L.A. for allegedly stealing a car at a valet stand.