There’s not many former Syracuse players in the NBA right now. There are four to be exact, but only three are making money at the current moment. The one player that isn’t is Dion Waiters.
The Miami Heat guard is currently suspended for 10 games without pay due to conduct detrimental to the team. This news broke Friday, Nov. 8, after he overdosed on THC-infused gummies on the team flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles. He reportedly had a “panic attack” after eating the edibles. Waiters was treated by doctors and is doing better, but now he has to deal with the consequences.
This is Waiters’ second suspension of the year and puts his standing with the team in jeopardy.
“We are very disappointed in Dion’s actions this season that include the very scary situation on Thursday night, and grateful that the outcome wasn’t worse,” said a statement the Heat released after the incident.
Waiters was barely seeing the court this season because of some younger talent in front of him, including Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn. Now, his position with the team is in limbo. Many reports say that his situation is impacting the team and might be something that could lead to his release.
On top of all of that, due to the suspension, Waiters will not receive $835,000 in salary and lose his contract bonus worth $1.2 million.
Waiters is arguably the best Syracuse alum currently in the NBA. He played for the Orange from 2010-2012, leading SU to two March Madness bids. In his sophomore season, Waiters was named the Big East Sixth Man of the Year and was on the Third-Team All-Big East.
He is a talented player that has found success in the NBA, but has made mistakes off the court that have impacted his image. Former Syracuse players making it to the NBA isn’t too common, so it would be a shame for Waiters’ career to be over. He is still young, just 27 years old. So, if he is released, hopefully another team picks him up. His Orange family is rooting for him.
