Mitch to NBA

Submitted by JeepinBen on

According to Yahoo Sport's Dan Wetzel Mitch to the NBA after testing positive for marijuana which netted him a YEAR LONG BAN from the NCAA

EDIT: Because some people aren't reading the article:

  • Mitch failed an NCAA administered test during the tournament - schools test during the year
  • The NCAA has harsher policies than schools do. Had Mitch failed a Michigan adminstered test it would have been 1-2 week suspension
  • Mitch dressing did not affect his test. Had Mitch been in street clothes or in AA he could have been tested by the NCAA during the tournament
  • Mitch passed 8 tests during his 2 years at Michigan, this was his only failure

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mitch-mcgary-heading-to-nba-after-positive…

Mitch McGary took a deep breath. He wanted to tell the story of why he smoked marijuana one night in March, why the NCAA suspended him for a year because of it and why the confluence of those events is helping lead him to declare for June's NBA draft. It wasn't easy, so he started at the beginning. For months, McGary had struggled to come to terms with the back injury that limited him to just eight games for the University of Michigan this season, none after mid-December.

EDIT 2: Quotes from Mitch and Beilien from mgoblue.com:

 

http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/042514aaa.html

"My family and I want to thank everyone for giving us privacy and the time to make this decision," said McGary. "As you know, it was important for us to weigh all the factors that go into something like this. With that being said, I am ready to move on to the next stage in my life and enter the NBA Draft. "Being a part of a program that values integrity, it is important to let everyone know of a poor decision I recently made. I tested positive for marijuana during the NCAA Tournament. We were notified of that result after the Final Four. I regret thoroughly disappointing my family, coaches and administration. Despite all of this they have been understanding and helpful over the last couple of weeks. "I take full responsibility for this poor choice and want to apologize to everyone, especially those I have grown close to during my fabulous two years at the University of Michigan. "I love the University of Michigan and all it has allowed me to do. I have had my ups and downs, especially with my injury this season. I want to thank all the fans for embracing me. This has been the best two years of my life and I have some unbelievable memories. I know that I will be a Wolverine forever. Go Blue."

k.o.k.Law

April 25th, 2014 at 9:04 AM ^

a one year suspension for something that is legal in some states, will be in all, just a matter of time.

the NCAA tests the guy who did not play?

I bet McGary could get a medical marijuana card in MI, based on his ADD and//or back.

I am glad and lucky not to have been judged by a standard like this.

Best of luck to him in the future.

Mr. Yost

April 25th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^

I have...I've been offered tens of times in my life. Hell, I'd hungout in a room with my father and his friends smoking and kept it in rotation.

Not once have I ever smoked pot or tried a cigarette. I don't look down on anyone who does...just not my thing. I told myself as a kid that I wouldn't do it and I just never did.

I don't think anything either way about it.

Mr. Yost

April 25th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^

Just because you say so. You're just another blogger with an opinion and making accusations. One that can easily be proven wrong and argued.

And you're wrong. Your mother cared about me last night...and then again this morning.

OOOOOOOOH SNAP SON!!!!

/sarcasmbecauseyou'dbetooblindtorealizethatfromthebeginning

TheDirtyD

April 25th, 2014 at 9:08 AM ^

Said no one. Well best of luck big guy. A year long ban for weed... Wow, just dumbfounded. I'm sure if it was an authorized NCAA weed dealer it would have been suspended for 1 game, since the NCAA would get their cut. 

cclittle

April 25th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^

Is the most unjust ridiculous thing which only serves to harm people. Performance enhancers not included, I guess.

At any rate I hope Mitch is just that much more motivated and really succeeds at the next level.

stbowie

April 25th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^

I just don't understand what this does for the NCAA. Why punish a kid so harshly for pot? Why test someone who isn't playing? Why do they care about pot? Dumb

Darker Blue

April 25th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^

What an absolute crock of fucking shit. Fuck you NCAA. Mitch  I love you, man you did nothing wrong. I hope you win multiple NBA championships and make enough money to pay me to punch whoever came up with this dumb rule right in the face. 

Well actually I'd probably do the punching for free. 

youn2948

April 25th, 2014 at 9:11 AM ^

A year ban?  How many players are given slaps on the wrist?

I guess the random selection tests are more serious versus the school's where enforcement is up to their discretion.

I wish him the best.  Even those who think drugs are evil have to agree this is a stupid judgement.  I wonder if he'd been wearing his suit, if they'd have still selected him at random.

*shrug*

Shakey Jake

April 25th, 2014 at 9:14 AM ^

and to the nba! Figures. At least he'll be able to toke and not worry about getting tested. If Mitch had said on National TV that he can't sleep due to insomnia that was helped by smoking pot and that the ncaa doesn't give enough money to allow him to sleep at night, would the ncaa then allow athletes to toke?

WolverineRage

April 25th, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^

I do not understand the NCAA.  A one year ban?  That is so far beyond fair and just punishment.  (Whether punishment is even necessary is a whole other argument in itself.)

 

At the end of the day though, I understand Mitch's decision and I wish him the best in the NBA.

 

Thanks Mitch.  We'll always have 2013.

Fab and Fresh

April 25th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^

He was probably intent on coming back until this drug test came up and the result came back. A year long suspension for smoking weed? "IT'S JUST A LITTLE POT!!" That's crazy.

JTrain

April 25th, 2014 at 9:13 AM ^

Maybe he needed it for the pain!!!!
Oh well, if that's the worst thing he ever does it's not that bad. It's a tough and expensive lesson to learn.
What I don't get tho, is how so many athletes get away with it. I have a cousin who is an athlete in the big ten and she says a ton of the football players smoke on Friday nights before games and then take "certain supplements" or gnc pills to cover it up. Not sure how effective it is or maybe they get lucky and don't get chosen to be tested. Not sure. Either way, I guess it doesn't really matter. The rules are the rules....
Happy trails Mitch. Would've loved to see the potential you had developed one more year with us!

pescadero

April 25th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^

A DAILY smoker might test positive after a month.

 

A one time user - no way.

 

"Marijuana use can be detected 2–5 days after exposure for infrequent users; For heavy users: 1–15 days; For chronic users and/or users with high body fat: 1–30 days. Under the typical 50 ng/mL cutoff for THC in the United States, an occasional or on-off user would be very unlikely to test positive beyond 3–4 days since the last use, and a chronic user would be unlikely to test positive much beyond 7 days. Using a more sensitive cutoff of 20 ng/mL (less common but still used by some labs), the most likely maximum times are 7 days and 21 days, respectively. In extraordinary circumstances of extended marijuana use, detection times of more than 30 days are possible in some individuals at the 20 ng/mL cutoff"