Tyreke Evans disqualified from NBA for violating NBA anti-drug program

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In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Kings selected Tyreke Evans with the No. 4 pick. This was one slot after the Thunder took James Harden, and three selections before the Warriors took Steph Curry.

While Evans beat out Curry for Rookie of the Year honors in the 2019-10 season for Sacramento -- averaging 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists -- his career mostly has been up-and-down.

Ten years later, it looks like his career has come to an abrupt halt.

The Athletic's Shams Charania was first to report that Evans has been "dismissed and disqualified from the NBA for violating its drug program." Bleacher Report's Howard Beck has the full release from the NBA.

Although he has been banned from the league, Evans can apply for reinstatement in two years. Former NBA players Chris Andersen and O.J. Mayo have been the only other players to be penalized to this extent. Andersen returned to the NBA after his ban, while Mayo -- eligible to return for the 2018-19 season -- thus far has not.

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After Evans' stellar rookie year, he continued to average double-figures for the Kings for the next three seasons before leaving for the Pelicans in a sign-and-trade before the 2013-14 season. He was traded back to Sacramento midway through the 2016-17 season, appearing in 14 games (six starts) and averaging 11.6 points per game in just 22.4 minutes.

Evans played the 2018-19 season with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 10.2 points per game primarily as a bench scorer.

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