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(USA Today) Veteran NBA guard O.J. Mayo has been dismissed and disqualified from the league for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, the league announced Friday afternoon.
Under the Anti-Drug Program, Mayo is eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.
No further details regarding his dismissal were provided. Per league rules, the NBA, NBA teams and the Players Association aren't allowed to publicly disclose information regarding the Anti-Drug program, other than to announce a player's suspension or league dismissal.
However, the NBA's collective bargaining agreement — which is a public document — lists the following "drugs of abuse" as prohibited substances: amphetamines and its analogs, cocaine, LSD, opiates (heroin, codeine and morphine), and PCP.
According to the CBA's penalties, a player who tests positive for drugs of abuse will be dismissed and disqualified from the league. The length of the dismissal and disqualification (two years) is mandatory, and "may not be rescinded or reduced by the player’s team or NBA.”
However, according to the CBA, reinstatement isn't guaranteed.
“Reinstatement shall be granted only with the prior approval of both the NBA and the Players Association, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The approval of the NBA and the Players Association shall rest in their absolute and sole discretion, and their decision shall be final, binding, and unappealable."
When determining whether or not to grant reinstatement, the NBA and the NBPA consider (without limitation):
"The circumstances surrounding the player’s dismissal and disqualification; whether the player has satisfactorily completed a treatment and rehabilitation program; the player’s conduct since his dismissal, including the extent to which the player has since comported himself as a suitable role model for youth; and whether the player is judged to possess the requisite qualities of good character and morality.”
Memphis Grizzlies power forward Chris Andersen was the last player to receive a ban from the NBA for using drugs of abuse in 2006. He returned to the league in March of 2008.
Mayo — who spent the past three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks — averaged 7.8 points and 2.9 assists in 41 games last season. He was selected with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2008 draft, and has career averages of 13.8 points and 2.9 assists.
He is 28 years old and will be eligible for reinstatement before the 2019-20 NBA season.
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