Tarpley applies for reinstatement to NBA

The 37-year-old Roy Tarpley hasn't played in the NBA in eight years. Mike Powell/Allsport

HOUSTON (AP) -- Former Dallas Mavericks forward Roy Tarpley, who was banned from the NBA in 1995 for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, has applied for reinstatement to the league.

Tarpley, 37, told Houston television station KRIV that he hopes to revive his NBA career soon.

"I feel like I have unfinished business there," Tarpley said. "If I can get another opportunity to play in the league, I am going to hold on for dear life. I miss it so much, and I took it for granted before, and I will never do that again."

An NBA spokesman declined to comment, citing the terms of the league's drug policy.

The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 1987-88, Tarpley is living in Houston and has been training with former Cleveland Cavaliers coach John Lucas.

After being banned from the NBA in 1995, Tarpley spent five years playing for professional teams throughout Europe. He was out of basketball this season.

Lucas said seven NBA teams have inquired about Tarpley.

"He still has the rebounding and shooting ability," Lucas said. "So with the way the league is structured as far as the salary cap restrictions, someone signing Roy for a million dollars will be a steal of a deal."

The 7-foot Tarpley was the seventh pick in the 1986 NBA Draft out of Michigan. He played for the Mavericks from 1986 until he was thrown out of the NBA in October 1991 for using cocaine, a violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.

For two years he played professional basketball in Greece until he was reinstated by the NBA in 1994 and signed a six-year, $20 million contract with the Mavericks.

But Tarpley's NBA return was short-lived. He was permanently banned from the league in December 1995 for using alcohol and violating the terms of a court-imposed personal after-care program.

"When all of that happened back in '95, it was a big shock to me," Tarpley said. "I just kind of disappeared, but I'm back now. Sometimes you have to go away to be able to come back."

 

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