Richardson Reinstated by NBA

Micheal Ray Richardson, the first NBA player to be banned by the league for drug use, was reinstated by Commissioner David J. Stern and the NBA Players Assn. today after a two-year drug suspension.

Richardson, 33, a former All-Star guard for the New Jersey Nets, was banned from the league Feb. 25, 1986, after testing positive for drugs. Under terms of the ban, Richardson had to sit out a minimum of two years. He filed formal application for reinstatement Feb. 25 and Stern today said, “On the basis of our extensive investigation, it appears Micheal Ray Richardson is drug-free and constructively dealing with his addiction.”