Ex-NCAA Hoops Star -- Hit With Gun Charges ... For Loaded AK-47 At Strip Club

A former college basketball star -- who's currently in the NBA D-league -- has been charged with multiple gun charges for allegedly breaking out loaded weapons outside of a strip club.

The man in the crosshairs is Keith Appling -- who played at Michigan State from '10 to '14.

Officials say ... security outside of the Pantheion strip club in Michigan witnessed Appling pulling a firearm out of the trunk of his car in the parking lot and called cops.

When police arrived, officials say Appling was in the driver's seat -- and they decided to search the car.

Cops say the found a handgun under the seat and a loaded gun in the trunk. According to multiple reports, the gun in the trunk was an AK-47 assault rifle.

Appling was arrested at the scene. He's since been charged with several crimes including felony for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle and weed possession.

If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 8 years behind bars.