Tyreke Evans dismissed and disqualified from NBA for violation of drug policy

Free agent guard Tyreke Evans has been “dismissed and disqualified” from the NBA for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, the league announced Friday.

Evans must wait two years before he can apply for reinstatement.

According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, players can only be disqualified for a third positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, or a first positive test for “drugs of abuse,” which are listed as benzodiazepines, synthetic cathinones, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, LSD, methamphetamine, opiates, and PCP.

Evans has not previously served a suspension for doping.

“We take these matters seriously and will reach out to Tyreke to offer our support,” the Pacers said in a statement released by the team.

Struggling to find his rhythm as an off-ball, spot-up threat with limited touches while also battling knee troubles, the 29-year-old, barrel-chested scorer put up career lows in points (10.2), assists (2.4), field goal percentage (38.9%), and free-throw rate (0.242) in 69 games with the Pacers, though he ended up playing a crucial role in the playoffs as the team’s lone shot-creator, averaging 15.3 points in 21 minutes over four games.

Evans served a one-game suspension earlier in the season for violating team rules and later missed games for undisclosed personal reasons in March.

“I was late for practice.” Evans said in a statement released by the team at the time of his team-imposed suspension. “This is the most professional and team-oriented organization I have been with in my career. They deserve my best every day and I am disappointed in myself for causing a distraction that prevents me from being able to help my team tomorrow. I will do better.”

Before being waived by the Pacers in 2017, Monta Ellis drew a softer five-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy, indicating he had tested positive a third-time for marijuana use.

Unlike Ellis, Evans was an unrestricted free agent.

The 9-year veteran will be 31 years old when he he’s eligible to apply for a return to the NBA.