NBA Officially Reinstates Tyreke Evans After Two-Year Ban

The NBA and the players union have reinstated former Rookie-of-the-Year winner Tyreke Evans on Monday after a two-year ban for violating the League’s anti-drug program.

The fourth overall pick out of the 2009 NBA Draft is the first player to be suspended and reinstated since Chris ‘Birdman’ Anderson was reinstated by the League in 2008.

Evans is immediately eligible to negotiate with teams and will be able to sign a contract as soon as noon Friday, per the NBA. Since he entered the Association, Evans averaged 15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. Evans averaged 10.2 points, 2.9 boards, and 2.4 dimes per game when he last played for the Pacers.

Evans has played for the Kings, Pelicans, Grizzlies, and the Pacers. He was named the Rookie of the Year in 2010.