John Drew’s Tragic Fall: The NBA’s First Drug Ban and the Secrets They Hid!

John Drew’s journey through the NBA was nothing short of meteoric—until it wasn’t.

A two-time All-Star and one of the most prolific scorers of his era, Drew seemed destined for greatness.

But his incredible talent was overshadowed by a darker reality: his cocaine addiction.

By the time he passed away in 2022, Drew’s life had become a cautionary tale of wasted potential, systemic failure, and quiet redemption.

Born with god-given talent, Drew entered the NBA in 1974 after dominating at Gardner-Webb University.

Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round, he wasted no time making an impact.

In his debut game, Drew exploded for 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists, tying for the third-highest scoring debut in NBA history.

His rookie season was equally impressive, averaging 18.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

By 21, Drew had already earned his first All-Star selection, becoming the youngest player in league history to do so at the time.

Drew’s career stats were nothing short of elite.

He averaged over 20 points per game during his peak seasons, placing him among the top 50 retired players in NBA history for scoring.

But behind the scenes, Drew’s life was unraveling.

Around his fourth season, he began using cocaine.

At first, his addiction was invisible to the outside world.

Drew continued to perform at a high level, even making his second All-Star team in 1980.

His success masked the growing problem, allowing it to fester unchecked.

Despite multiple attempts at rehab, Drew’s addiction only worsened.

He later admitted that his early stints in treatment didn’t work because he wasn’t ready to change.

He loved the drug more than basketball, more than his career, and more than himself.

The Hawks eventually traded him to the Utah Jazz in 1982, a move Drew requested in hopes that a change of scenery would help him.

Ironically, the trade brought Atlanta the third overall draft pick, which they used to select Dominique Wilkins—a future Hall of Famer.

Drew’s downfall inadvertently paved the way for another player’s rise.

The move to Utah did little to curb Drew’s addiction.

Though he continued to put up respectable numbers on the court, his off-court struggles persisted.

By 1984, the Jazz had had enough and waived him, effectively ending his NBA career.

Drew turned to the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where he played for the Wyoming Wildcatters and dominated, earning CBA Newcomer of the Year and All-CBA First Team honors.

Even after years of substance abuse, his talent was undeniable.

But the NBA had other plans.

In 1986, new NBA commissioner David Stern was determined to clean up the league’s tarnished image.

Drug use had become rampant, and the NBA’s reputation was in jeopardy.

Stern needed to make an example of someone, and unfortunately for Drew, he became that person.

In January 1986, Drew was banned for life under the NBA’s new substance abuse policy.

His three-month stay at a Utah rehab facility was counted as his third strike, sealing his fate.

The ban was controversial, as Drew wasn’t even on an NBA roster at the time.

Critics argued that punishing someone for seeking help sent the wrong message, discouraging others from coming forward.

The ban was the final blow to Drew’s already crumbling life.

Without the structure and support of the NBA, he spiraled further out of control.

Later that year, Drew was arrested twice in Atlanta—once for selling cocaine to an undercover agent and again for possession.

He went from being a millionaire athlete to a drug dealer in a matter of months.

By the 1990s, Drew had hit rock bottom.

NBA legend Charles Barkley encountered him homeless on the streets of Atlanta, a stark reminder of how far he had fallen.

The NBA’s decision to ban Drew for life drew criticism for its lack of compassion.

While the league had made him the face of its anti-drug campaign, it offered no support once he was out.

Drew was left to fend for himself, with no financial education, mental health resources, or transitional assistance.

The policy was later amended to allow banned players to seek reinstatement after two years, but the change came too late for Drew.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Drew eventually found his way to sobriety.

It took years, but he managed to overcome his addiction and rebuild his life.

He moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked as a taxi driver and lived a quiet, stable life with his wife.

For a man who had once been at the pinnacle of the basketball world, this simple existence was a victory.

Drew remained out of the spotlight, choosing to live his final years in peace.

John Drew passed away on April 10, 2022, at the age of 67.

He had been battling stage 4 bone cancer.

By the time of his death, much of the basketball world had forgotten him.

There were no tributes during games, no moments of silence—just the quiet passing of a man whose life had been both extraordinary and tragic.

Drew’s story is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of addiction and the failures of systems designed to punish rather than rehabilitate.

His case helped shape the NBA’s modern drug policy, which now allows for second chances.

While the league moved on without him, Drew’s legacy lives on as a cautionary tale and a symbol of redemption.

He may have lost his career and reputation, but in the end, he found peace—a quiet triumph that was entirely his own.

Rest in peace, John Drew.

Your story will never be forgotten.