6:23pm: Harris’ dismissal is official, NBA Communications tweets. He’ll be eligible to apply for reinstatement in one year.
3:29pm: Raptors guard Jalen Harris has been dismissed and disqualified from the NBA due to violating terms of the league’s anti-drug program, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. According to Charania, Harris is able to apply for reinstatement in one year.
Harris was selected with the 59th pick in the 2020 draft out of the University of Nevada and averaged 7.4 PPG in 13 games as a 22-year-old rookie. He was a standout on the Raptors’ G League team in his seven games with the 905, averaging 17.6 PPG on 50% shooting from three.
The manner of dismissal suggests that the violation was due to drug abuse, not use of performance enhancing drugs. As Blake Murphy of The Athletic points out in his tweet thread containing the list of substances that fall into the category of drugs of abuse, this renders Harris’ contract null, though the Raptors will retain his rights and have a chance to bring him back upon reinstatement if they so desire.
The details of the violation are unclear, but the penalty is similar to ones received by Tyreke Evans in 2019, O.J. Mayo in 2016, and Chris Anderson in 2006. Anderson was able to return to the league two years later, but Mayo has never been reinstated. Evans is eligible to apply for reinstatement this summer.
Never did a drug in my life worth sacrificing millions. Glad to be born without the addiction gene.
You don’t do anything on a daily basis? We all have an addiction to something…. Unfortunately some can’t control theirs
He’s gonna have to face it, he’s addicted to spuds.
Oh, I have.
Wow he actually looked like he had a lot of potential and was another great find by raptors he had 30 point against the Mavs
What is LSD doing on that list?
Dock Ellis threw a no hitter on them – worse than steroids imo lol
Some people are prescribed Benzos for anxiety and stuff. I’m guessing the league doesn’t penalize guys in that type of situation?
They do not. Also if anyone is curious look into reishi mushroom pills. Much better than benzos for anxiety,non addictive, and cheaper. You can get them at your local vitamin shoppe.
Props to the article author for choosing a picture where Harris looks drugged out of his mind.
And like some official called him out on something.
HR always wins with pics but they show so small if they’re not embedded.
It’s coke. It always is.
Do they still test for Marijuana?
Its as legal as booze is in many states, unless they test for booze.
One of the most shocking things about becoming an adult in the real world is seeing just how common coke use is amongst literally any part of society.
Anyone listen to Death on the Wing podcast? Puts drug policies into perspective.
Idk this guys story but I’m not sure why players get banned for drug abuse. If anything they should get help from the team or the union should put something in place. Higher priority than fing buyout market.
All banning does is get him off television and out of the locker room. League’s hands are clean, blow the whistle, resume play.
In the words of Rick James, “Cocaine is a hell of a drug.”