Tyreke Evans dismissed from NBA for violating league's anti-drug program
Tyreke Evans has been dismissed from the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug program.
The league announced the ban Friday afternoon.
“The NBA announced today that Tyreke Evans has been dismissed and disqualified from the league for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program,” a release reads. “Under the anti-drug program, Evans is eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.”
The release also noted that the league is not permitted to discuss details of a player’s failed drug test other than to announce a suspension or dismissal.
Dismissal indicates drug of abuse
Per NBA policy, this ban applies to a drug of abuse, rather than a performance-enhancing drug. Had Evans been suspended for a steroid or performance-enhancing drug (SPED), the league would have identified the drug, per the anti-drug policy in the collective bargaining agreement:
“If a player is suspended or disqualified for conduct involving a SPED, the particular SPED shall be publicly disclosed along with the announcement of the applicable penalty.”
The CBA also directly addresses the consequence of testing positive for a “drug of abuse” as dismissal.
“In the event that the player tests positive for a drug of abuse ... he shall immediately be dismissed and disqualified from any association with the NBA or any of its teams”
Drugs of abuse included in the CBA are listed as follows:
• Amphetamine and its analogs (including, but not limited to, methamphetamine and MDMA)
• Cocaine
• LSD
• Opiates (Heroin, Codeine, Morphine)• Phencyclidine (PCP)
The CBA lists “marijuana and its by-products” under “prohibited substances,” but not not as a “drug of abuse.”
Evans was about to hit free agency
Evans, 29, just completed his 10th season in the NBA. A pending free agent, Evans spent this season with the Indiana Pacers, his fourth team since being selected as the No. 4 pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2009 NBA draft.
He has also played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies.
Evans averaged 10.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Pacers this season, splitting time between starting and coming off the bench.
For his career, Evans averaged 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a combo guard who often had the ball in his hands.
Other players dismissed by the NBA
The NBA similarly banned guard O.J. Mayo from the league in 2016 for violating the league’s drug policy. He has since surpassed the two-year time-frame to reapply for eligibility, but has not played again in the NBA.
Evans’ marks the 13th NBA disqualification since 1986. Chris “Birdman” Andersen, Stanley Roberts, Roy Tarpley (twice), Mitchell Wiggins, Lewis Lloyd, Michael Ray Richardson, Richard Dumas, Chris Washburn, Duane Washington and John Drew all received drug bans prior to Mayo and Evans.
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