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The Dark Side of the NBA: Untold Stories of Addiction, Suspensions, and Redemption

In the high-stakes world of the NBA, glory and heartbreak often go hand in hand. Behind the dazzling lights and roaring crowds, some of basketball’s brightest stars have faced battles far more daunting than anything found on the court. These are the stories of ten NBA players whose careers were forever altered by drug use—stories of mistakes, consequences, and, for some, redemption.

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The saga begins with Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks. A fierce competitor and 2021 NBA champion, Portis’s promising season was derailed by a simple, devastating mix-up. In February 2025, the NBA handed him a 25-game suspension without pay after he tested positive for tramadol, a banned opioid painkiller. The incident, which cost him over a million dollars in salary, stemmed from an honest mistake—Portis thought he was taking Toradol, a league-approved pain reliever, but instead ingested tramadol. The fallout sparked debate across the league: Was the punishment too harsh for a genuine accident? Portis served his suspension and returned, but the episode left a lasting mark and fueled calls for better education on banned substances.

Not all cases were so accidental. Tristan Thompson, a reliable veteran and former NBA champion, was suspended in January 2024 after testing positive for two performance-enhancing drugs: MK-677 and SARM LGD-4033. Thompson blamed contaminated supplements, but the damage was done—he missed 25 games, lost $750,000, and saw his reputation questioned. His story reignited concerns about supplement safety and the pressures aging athletes face to extend their careers.

For some, the consequences were permanent. Michael Ray Richardson, a four-time All-Star, became the first player in NBA history to receive a lifetime ban after failing three cocaine tests in the 1980s. Richardson’s electrifying talent was overshadowed by addiction, which spiraled amid the league’s rampant drug culture. His ban, though devastating, ultimately forced him to confront his demons, and he later credited it with saving his life. Richardson’s story, ending with his passing in 2025, serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the possibility of recovery.

Richard Dumas and Chris Washburn saw their NBA dreams cut short by addiction that began before they even reached the league. Dumas, a key player in the Suns’ 1993 Finals run, struggled with drugs and alcohol from age 15, leading to suspensions and an early exit from the NBA. Washburn, a top draft pick, was allegedly using cocaine during college games and became one of the league’s biggest busts after repeated failed tests and a lifetime ban. Both men eventually found paths to sobriety, but only after losing millions and the careers they once cherished.

The 1980s also saw John Drew become one of the first active players to publicly confess to a cocaine addiction, bravely exposing the crisis within the league. Despite multiple rehab attempts, Drew’s struggles led to a lifetime ban and personal turmoil, but he later dedicated his life to helping at-risk youth avoid his mistakes.

Roy Tarpley, a Sixth Man of the Year winner, battled alcohol and cocaine dependency for nearly a decade. Despite brief comebacks, repeated relapses led to permanent expulsion from the NBA. His story highlighted the league’s evolving approach to addiction—and the tragic consequences when support systems fail.

Other cases, like Chris Andersen—the “Birdman”—offered hope. Andersen was banned for two years in 2006 for violating the anti-drug policy, but he fought his way back, won a championship with Miami, and retired with his reputation restored. His redemption story showed that second chances are possible for those willing to do the hard work.

For OJ Mayo, a promising career unraveled after a 2016 ban for abusing prescription painkillers, which began as legitimate treatment for an injury but spiraled into addiction. Despite attempts at reinstatement, Mayo’s NBA days ended prematurely, though he later found sobriety and purpose overseas.

Tyreek Evans, a former Rookie of the Year, saw his career halted in 2019 by a two-year ban for drug abuse just as he was entering free agency. Evans’s journey through exile, recovery, and eventual return to professional basketball became the subject of a 2025 documentary, illustrating both the risks of unchecked addiction and the power of perseverance.

These stories are a stark reminder: talent and success offer no immunity from the perils of addiction. Yet amid the heartbreak, there are lessons of hope, redemption, and the enduring human spirit. As the NBA continues to grapple with these challenges, the journeys of these players serve as both warnings and inspirations for future generations.