Mitch McGary Declares For NBA Draft After Positive Drug Test
Michigan big man Mitch McGary has declared for the NBA draft after testing positive for marijuana during the NCAA tournament.
In a statement released by Michigan, McGary said “I am ready to move on the next stage in my life and enter the NBA draft. Being part of a program that values integrity, it is important to let everyone know of a poor decision I recently made. I tested positive for marijuana during the NCAA tournament. We were notified of that result after the Final Four. I regret thoroughly disappointing my family, coaches and administration.”
McGary only played in 8 games, playing limited minutes, in 2013-2014 due to a back injury. His last game was Dec. 14 against Arizona and undewent surgery thereafter.
His career statistics in two injury plagued years at Michigan were a modest 7.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. However, NBA scouts think he has the upside to be a solid player.
There was speculation that McGary would enter the draft even after the injury. He was a pre-season All American pick after helping Michigan to the 2013 NCAA title game averaging 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds during their tournament run.
ESPN reported the NCAA says its year-round testing program generally does not involve street drugs or stimulants, but its NCAA championship testing program– which includes events such as the basketball tournament– may include tests for those drugs. NCAA rules say that a positive test results in ineligibility for a calendar year.
Athletes at Michigan are subject to random, year-round drug testing under the school’s policy, but if McGary had been caught under that program, the penalty could have been much less severe. Under Michigan’s rules, a first offense calls for an immediate one-week suspension from team activities. In addition the athlete “must sit out the next 10 percent of the maximum allowable contests during the traditional competitive season or post season of their respective sport.”
The 6’10” McGary is older than most college sophomores, he will turn 22 in June. He joins fellow sophomore teammates Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III in declaring for the draft.
Michigan coach John Beilein said “Mitch has had a tremendous impact on our program from the moment he committed to us. The progress he has made on and off the court has been outstanding. His willingness to face a personal issue head on and his positive work ethic during his recent injury have helped him grow in many ways.”
The positive test is not expected to affect McGary’s draft status. Speaking to mlive.com on the condition of anonymity an NBA scout said “no, not really, because you know what probably 70 percent of the league does that (smokes marijuana).”
He is expected to be selected late in the first or early second round.
[Image via gamedayr.com]
