Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Harris has reportedly been dismissed and disqualified from the NBA for violating terms of the league’s anti-drug program, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Harris will be eligible to apply for reinstatement in one year.
Players are dismissed and disqualified under the NBA’s anti-drug policy after an individual tests positive for a “drug of abuse,” according to the collective bargaining agreement. The drugs on that list are wide-ranging, but it does not include marijuana or steroids, which have their own classifications.
The specific nature of Harris’ violation has not been disclosed.
A veteran player in violation of the policy faces, at least, an automatic two-year dismissal. Because Harris was a rookie, the length of his dismissal was only one year.
Dismissals for anti-drug policy breaches are rare in the NBA. Most recently, in 2019, Tyreke Evans was dismissed for a violation. He is eligible to apply for reinstatement this year. OJ Mayo was banned back in 2016 and, despite being eligible to apply for reinstatement, has spent the last few seasons playing overseas instead.
As a result of Harris’ violation, his contract with the Raptors will be rendered null and void and he will enter Stage 1 of the league’s drugs of abuse program.
Harris, the Raptors’ second-round pick in 2020, was set to be a restricted free agent. The Raptors will retain his rights and have a window to decide on signing him upon reinstatement, according to Blake Murphy of The Athletic.
Overall, in 13 regular-season appearances, Harris averaged 7.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists while battling injuries and stretches of playing in the G League. He ended the NBA campaign on a high note, averaging 18.5 points per game in his final four games.
