Richardson Reinstated by NBA

NEW YORK — Micheal Ray Richardson, the first NBA player to be banned by the league for drug use, was reinstated by Commissioner David J. Stern and the NBA Players Assn. today after a two-year drug suspension.

Richardson, 33, a former All-Star guard for the New Jersey Nets, was banned from the league Feb. 25, 1986, after testing positive for drugs. Under terms of the ban, Richardson had to sit out a minimum of two years. He filed formal application for reinstatement Feb. 25 and Stern today said, “On the basis of our extensive investigation, it appears Micheal Ray Richardson is drug-free and constructively dealing with his addiction.”