People banned from NBA are JiDion, Bill Spivey, Donald Sterling, Doug Moe and Micheal Richardson. YouTuber JiDion last attended a WNBA game.
Even though professional leagues and global athletic organizations try to emphasize the sacredness and purity of their games, sports often attract a lot of controversy.
Celebrities, like others, are not immune to consequences if they violate the rules and regulations of major sporting events like the NBA and WNBA.
Sporting leagues have codes of conduct and policies in place to ensure fair play, maintain the integrity of the game, and promote a positive and all-embracing environment for players, staff, and fans.
The league's possible actions in response to rule violations or inappropriate behavior include fines, suspensions, or even permanent bans from participating in league events.
NBA Lifelong Banned Players
Here is the list of NBA blacklist players or simply those banned for life:
| Name | Team | Banned Year |
| Alex Groza | Indianapolis Olympians | 1951 |
| Alvin Roth | Undrafted (College: CCNY) | 1951 |
| Chris Washburn | Golden State Warriors / Atlanta Hawks | 1989 |
| Ed Warner | CCNY | 1951 |
| Eddie Johnson | Seattle SuperSonics | 1987 |
| Gene Melchiorre | Baltimore Bullets | 1951 |
| Jack Molinas | Fort Wayne Pistons | 1954 |
| Norm Mager | Baltimore Bullets | 1951 |
| OJ Mayo | Milwaukee Bucks | 2016 |
| Ralph Beard | Indianapolis Olympians | 1951 |
| Richard Dumas | Phoenix Suns / Philadelphia 76ers | 1991 |
| Roy Tarpley | Dallas Mavericks | 1991 |
| Sherman White | Long Island University (LIU) | 1951 |
| Tony Jackson | New York Knicks | 1961 |
1. JiDion Banned From All NBA Games
Rising YouTube celebrity JiDion was banned from WNBA and every NBA game. The NBA issued it on JiDion on 19th July 2023.
From now on, Jidon Armani Adams, famous by his first name JiDion will not be allowed to attend any events related to the NBA.
This decision came after he was caught sleeping during a WNBA game. The 22-year-old YouTuber and Twitch star was at a basketball game, watching the Minnesota Lynx play against the Dallas Wings.
However, he ended up dozing off while sitting in his seat. The cameras caught him sleeping in pajamas and a pillow during the matchup when the ball flew into the crowd. Because of this incident, the arena security asked him to leave the game.
JiDion, known for creating funny content on YouTube, bought multiple seats at the Dream's stadium to make space to lie down during the game.
Despite being warned several times to stop, he did not listen and continued doing so. As a result, the stadium staff had to escort him out of the building.
After leaving, security informed him that he could no longer attend any future WNBA or NBA events.
However, this is not the first time the prankster has faced such a situation. In 2022, JiDion was also kicked out of the US Open for getting a haircut during a match.
2. Donald Sterling
Donald Sterling is an American tycoon who previously owned an NBA franchise Los Angeles Clippers. Sterling purchased the Clippers for $12.5 million in 1979.
However, in 2014, an incident caused significant controversy, leading to his lifetime ban from the NBA and a $2.5 million fine.
Donald Sterling's remarks, captured on an exposed audio recording, contained discriminatory comments directed at African Americans, including former Los Angeles Lakers player Magic Johnson.
The NBA responded swiftly to the situation, with Commissioner Adam Silver taking decisive action against Sterling.
The NBA's decision to ban Donald Sterling for life was a significant step in addressing cases of racism within the league and sending a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.
After the ban, the ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers was transferred to Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, who purchased the team for $2 billion in August 2014.
3. Doug Moe
Doug Moe is a former Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers head coach who received a lifetime NBA ban.
After a promising college basketball career, a new NBA franchise, the Chicago Packers, picked him in the 1961 Draft.
Unfortunately, Moe got into serious trouble because of his connection to a basketball gambling scandal in the NCAA University Division men's basketball. As a result, the NBA decided to restrict him from ever playing in their league.
However, Moe was never charged with wrongdoing, and no evidence was found that he was involved in a dishonest scheme.
Despite the scandal, Moe managed to achieve a thriving coaching career. He guided the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs on six occasions and received the prestigious title of NBA Coach of the Year in 1988.
4. Roger Brown
NBA barred Roger Brown in 1961 because of his connection with a wagerer named Jack Molinas.
Because of his ties to Molinas, while he was in high school, Brown received a permanent prohibition from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Brown's only wrongdoing was being connected to Jack Molinas. The Indianapolis native was a highly-touted high school player out of George W. Wingate.
Since he did not get the opportunity to join the NBA, he decided to pursue his basketball career in the competing American Basketball Association (ABA) instead. He won the ABA championship thrice in 1970, 1972 and 1973 with the Indiana Pacers.
Apart from his playing career, Brown also took on a role as a councilman, becoming a Republican member of the Indianapolis City-County Council for four years.
5. Jack Molinas
NBA took action against Jack Molinas in January 1954 for betting on games leading to his banishment from the league.
Molinas was a standout player at Columbia Lions, and he got selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the first round of the 1953 NBA Draft.
He had a chance to play in 32 games for the Pistons, but unfortunately, he got suspended because of his involvement in gambling activities, which also scrapped his NBA All-Star game.
After being banned from the NBA, Molinas continued his basketball career in the EPBL from 1954 to 1962. During this time, he played for three teams: the Hazleton Hawks, Williamsport Billies, and Wilkes-Barre Barons.
Once his basketball playing days were over, Molinas pursued further education at Brooklyn Law School, where he earned a law degree. Additionally, he ventured into the fur-importing business alongside his business partner, Bernard Gusoff.
6. Micheal Ray Richardson
Michael Ray Richardson is a former NBA point guard in the league for eight years. The New York Knicks chose Richardson in the 1978 NBA Draft.
He spent 4 seasons with the Knicks before signing with the Golden State Warriors in 1982 and later with the New Jersey Nets (presently Brooklyn Nets).
In February 1986, Richardson was banned from the NBA forever because he kept breaking the league's rules about substance policy. However, after two years, in July 1988, he was allowed to come back. But he chose not to play in the NBA again after that.
Michael went to Europe to keep playing basketball. Eventually, he became the head coach of the Albany Patroons in the CBA and successfully won the title twice in 2008 and 2009.
7. Bill Spivey
Bill Spivey was banned from the NBA for life after being implicated in the 1951 CCNY basketball point-shaving scandal.
After finishing high school, Spivey attended the University of Kentucky's basketball team. While playing for the Wildcats, he helped the team win the 1951 NCAA tournament championship.
After his basketball days, Spivey became a businessperson and returned to Kentucky. He mainly worked in sales, selling things like building materials and insurance.
Besides, he got involved in various ventures, like developing real estate and owning restaurants, including Bill Spivey's Restaurant and Lounge in Lexington. Furthermore, Spivey served as the state's deputy insurance commissioner for a while.
