NBA Scandal: 10 Superstar Players Caught Using Drugs—Shocking Stories of Suspensions, Controversy, and Career Downfalls That Rocked the Basketball World!
10 NBA Players Banned for Drug Use: From Champions to Cautionary Tales
The NBA has seen its share of talent lost to substance abuse, with players from every era facing suspensions, bans, and battles with addiction. Here are ten stories that reveal how drugs derailed promising careers, cost millions, and sometimes even led to redemption:
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1. Bobby Portis
A simple medication mix-up cost Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks 25 games and over a million dollars in salary. Portis tested positive for tramadol, a banned opioid painkiller, after accidentally taking it instead of the league-approved anti-inflammatory drug Toradol. The suspension came during a crucial playoff push, with his coach and agent insisting it was an honest mistake—not a pattern of abuse. Portis returned to advocate for better education on banned substances.
2. Tristan Thompson
Veteran center Tristan Thompson was suspended for 25 games after testing positive for two performance-enhancing drugs: MK677 (a growth hormone) and SARM LGD433 (liandrol). Thompson blamed contaminated supplements, but the league’s policy was clear. The incident cost him $750,000 and sparked league-wide conversations about supplement safety.
3. Michael Ray Richardson
Richardson became the first NBA player to receive a lifetime ban after failing three cocaine tests in the 1980s. His addiction, fueled by the league’s party culture, led to isolation and financial ruin. Though briefly reinstated after rehab, he failed again and was permanently banned. Richardson found redemption overseas, but his story remains a warning about unchecked substance abuse.
4. Richard Dumas
Dumas’s crack cocaine habit began at age 15 and followed him through college and into the NBA. Suspended before his rookie season even started, he showed flashes of brilliance but failed multiple drug tests. His career ended at 27, but counseling and family support eventually helped him rebuild his life.
5. John Drew
A two-time All-Star, Drew went public with his cocaine addiction in 1983—an act of courage that exposed the league’s drug crisis. Despite repeated rehab attempts, he was banned for life in 1986 after multiple violations. Drew later became a counselor, helping others avoid his mistakes.
6. Roy Tarpley
Tarpley won Sixth Man of the Year in 1988, but his career was derailed by alcohol and cocaine abuse. After multiple suspensions and a failed lawsuit against the NBA, he died from liver failure at 50, a tragic example of addiction’s toll.
7. Chris Washburn
Washburn’s addiction began in high school and escalated to allegations of using cocaine during college games. After three failed drug tests, he was banned for life at 24. Homelessness and arrests followed, but faith and rehab eventually led to sobriety and a new life.
8. Chris Andersen (“Birdman”)
Known for his tattoos and energy, Andersen was banned for two years in 2006 for violating the anti-drug program. He worked his way back through recovery, eventually winning a championship with Miami and proving that redemption is possible.
9. OJ Mayo
Drafted third overall, Mayo’s career was cut short by a two-year ban for abusing prescription painkillers. He struggled with addiction after a leg injury, and although he played overseas after his ban, he never returned to the NBA.
10. Tyreke Evans
The 2010 Rookie of the Year was banned for two years in 2019 after testing positive for a drug of abuse. Chronic injuries and off-season partying contributed to his downfall. Evans eventually returned, but his skills had faded and his NBA career ended. He now advocates for mental health awareness and coaches youth players.
Conclusion
These stories highlight the devastating impact of drugs on NBA careers and lives. Some found redemption, others faced permanent bans, but all serve as cautionary tales about the importance of support, education, and accountability in professional sports.
