O.J. Mayo

The NBA has had enough of O.J. Mayo.

Friday, the League banned the former Milwaukee Bucks guard for violating their anti-drug program. The 28-year old can apply for reinstatement after two years.

Here’s the official press release from the NBA:

The NBA announced today that free agent O.J. Mayo has been dismissed and disqualified from the league for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Under the Anti-Drug Program, Mayo is eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.

The NBA, NBA teams, and the Players Association are prohibited from publicly disclosing information regarding the testing or treatment of any NBA player under the Anti-Drug Program, other than to announce a player’s suspension or dismissal from the league.

Deadspin points out that the NBA cannot publicly disclose what kind of drug a player was banned for if it involved drug abuse or marijuana. However the NBA can disclose the drug if the banned player was kicked out for using steroids or other performance enhancing drugs. It’s assumed that Mayo was dismissed from the League for drug abuse.

Given he’s only 28 and can apply for reinstatement in two year’s I guess it’s not totally inconceivable that Mayo finds his way back to the NBA at some point. It’s clear NBA GM’s love to throw money away throughout the course of an offseason. But many believe Mayo may have lost in upwards of $40 million.