Tarpley Reportedly Had Tested Positive for Cocaine at Michigan

Roy Tarpley, former University of Michigan center, tested positive for cocaine use as a senior and was threatened with dismissal from the basketball team, an Ann Arbor newspaper reported Friday.

Tarpley received the warning after testing positive a second time in January, 1986, one sources close to the Wolverine basketball program told the Ann Arbor News.

Another source, also anonymous, said he could confirm that Tarpley tested positive only once.

The 6-foot 11-inch center was tested at least once a week for the last two months of the 1985-86 season without any further positive findings, both sources said.

One source also said Tarpley failed a drug test in his junior year.

Tarpley, now with the Dallas Mavericks, admitted Monday that he has undergone treatment for cocaine and alcohol problems. He has refused to say whether he used cocaine at Michigan.

After Tarpley tested positive during his senior year, a three-member committee that included Coach Bill Frieder ordered him to undergo counseling and further tests and also notified his mother about the results, a source said.