Former Trojan O.J. Mayo ‘dismissed and disqualified’ by the NBA for violating drug policy

O.J. Mayo’s free agency will last longer than expected after the 28-year-old guard was “dismissed and disqualified” from the league Friday for violating terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

The specific nature of his dismissal was not disclosed, but Mayo will be able to apply for reinstatement in two years.

Under the program, players can be dismissed from the league for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs four times or for a single positive test for “drugs of abuse” (amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, LSD). Conviction of a crime involving the same set of drugs can also lead to dismissal, as can a failure to comply with the terms of a drug treatment program.

Mayo was drafted with the third overall pick out of USC by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008. He is the highest-drafted player in Trojans history.

However, the school was forced to “disassociate” with Mayo after an NCAA investigation found he accepted improper benefits including cash and other gifts.

USC vacated 21 wins from Mayo’s time at the university and accepted a loss of scholarships and two-years of postseason bans as part of its own self-imposed sanctions related to his offenses.

Mayo spent four seasons with the Grizzlies during which time he served a 10-game suspension in 2011 after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.

Prior to joining the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013, Mayo played one year with the Dallas Mavericks.

His best season came his rookie year in which he averaged 18.5 points with 3.2 assists. His production since then has trended downward. Last season, he averaged 7.2 points with 2.9 assists over 41 games while making just 24 starts.

The last player dismissed by the league was current Grizzlies forward Chris Anderson in 2006.

Anderson successfully applied for reinstatement in 2008 and become an NBA champion with the Miami Heat in 2013.

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme