Robert Upshaw has been kicked off of a basketball team for violating the team’s drug use policy. Sound familiar? That’s because this is the third time that this has happened to him. First, he was kicked off of Fresno State’s basketball team for drug use, among other things. Then, he transferred to Washington, where he had a great season, averaging 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game. Nonetheless, Upshaw was kicked off of that Washington team, again because of drug use.
Upshot decided to declare for the 2015 NBA Draft — a draft in which he had once been considered a surefire first-round pick. Instead, Upshaw went un-drafted, due to off-court concerns. Upshaw signed with the Los Angeles Lakers D-League affiliate team, the L.A. D-Fenders.
Now, it’s the D-Fenders’ turn to kick Upshaw off the roster, per Brett Pollakoff of Fox Sports:
Robert Upshaw’s NBA D-League playing services have been terminated, effective immediately, for violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program.
— Brett Pollakoff (@BrettEP) March 11, 2016
Will Upshaw be given another chance? It’s possible. He’s a very talented player. However, it’s hard to look past all his issues. He was passed on 60 times in the draft, and that was before this most recent offense.
In 28 appearances for the D-Fenders this year, Upshaw averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
