Thunder F McGary suspended for drug violation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder forward Mitch McGary has been suspended five games without pay for violating the terms of the NBA's anti-drug program. The league

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder forward Mitch McGary has been suspended five games without pay for violating the terms of the NBA's anti-drug program.

The league made the announcement Friday. McGary's suspension will begin with the next regular-season game that he is eligible and physically able to play.

McGary apologized to the organization, teammates and fans in a statement released by the team. He played little last season, and left the team for undisclosed personal reasons late in the year.

McGary had drug issues in college. He played just eight games his sophomore season at Michigan after electing to have back surgery, then tested positive for marijuana and faced a suspension, prompting him to enter the 2014 draft. The Thunder took him in the first round, and general manager Sam Presti said at the time that he was not worried about McGary's past.

McGary said he ''clearly made a mistake.''

''I realize there are only so many opportunities given to you and I need make sure that as a person and as a player, I take accountability and ensure that this does not happen again,'' McGary said in the statement.

The Thunder just acquired forward Domantas Sabonis in a draft-night trade, and the rookie first-rounder is a threat to push McGary further down the depth chart. Sabonis will play for Lithuania's national team at the Olympics.

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