Balaraja blog

NBA suspends O.J. Mayo 10 games for positive test

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The NBA has suspended guard O.J. Mayo 10 games without pay for violating the league and union's anti-drug program with a positive test.

The league announced the suspension Thursday for Mayo's positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Mayo's suspension will start Friday night when the Grizzlies visit Philadelphia, and he will be able to return Feb. 15 also against the 76ers in Memphis.

Mayo said in a statement released by the team that he is extremely disappointed he will miss 10 games as the Grizzlies are making a push for the playoffs. He blamed an over the counter supplement that he didn't know was banned by the NBA for the positive test, but a team spokesman said Mayo declined to say which supplement he used.

"It was an honest mistake, but I take full responsibility for my actions," Mayo said in the statement released by the team. I apologize to my fans, teammates and the Grizzlies organization for regrettably not doing the necessary research about what supplements I can put in my body."

Mayo's agent did not immediately return a message left at his office Thursday.

Mayo was the No. 3 pick overall in 2008 after only one season at USC, and Minnesota swapped him draft night deal to the Grizzlies for Kevin Love. Mayo was runner-up to Chicago's Derrick Rose for rookie of the year.

But the guard was moved to the bench earlier this season, starting just 15 of Memphis' 45 games this season. He's been bandied about as possible trade bait even while ranking fourth on the Grizzlies with 12.2 points per game.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Mayo will continue practicing with the team during his suspension.

"O.J. had a lack of judgment but has shown complete accountability," Heisley said in a statement. "We will continue to support O.J. during this time as we have from the moment he joined the team in 2008. He has unselfishly done everything we have asked of him, and we expect him to grow as a player and a person from this experience."