New York (AFP) - Free agent guard O.J. Mayo was banned from the NBA for at least two years on Friday for violating the league's anti-drug program.
Mayo, who has spent eight seasons in the league since being taken with the third overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, had been previously suspended for 10 games in 2011 after testing positive for steroids he said were taken unknowingly in a supplement.
After being dismissed and disqualified from the league for his latest violation, Mayo cannot apply for reinstatement for two years, so his actual punishment could last longer if such a bid is rejected.