Former McDonald’s All-American and prep star O.J. Mayo has been suspended by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug program, according to Dan Woike of the OC Register.
OJ Mayo dismissed and disqualified from the NBA pic.twitter.com/0lMzZxeOaQ
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 1, 2016
While it’s unclear what caused the ban, Mayo was suspended for 10 games in 2011 for using PEDs, so this isn’t the first time he has had trouble with the league’s banned substances. He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.
The 28-year-old Mayo—who was set to become a free agent this summer—was the No. 3 overall pick in 2008 by the Memphis Grizzlies, and was regarded as, potentially, being a superstar in the league, following in the footsteps of other prep stars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James before him.
More details to come as they’re released.
UPDATE: 2:00 p.m. EST
Not that there's a good time to get banned for drug abuse, but this is the worst time. One team exec says Mayo cost himself $30-$40M.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 1, 2016
[H/T Twitter]