Larry Sanders’ comeback has been put on hold.

The former Virginia Commonwealth University center was released Wednesday by the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

A former first round draft pick of the Milwaukee Bucks, Sanders missed most of the previous two seasons with substance abuse issues.

The 6-foot-11 Florida native signed with Cleveland on March 13 for a prorated NBA minimum salary of $207,722. He played five games with the Cavs, logging just 13 minutes.

His final outing was a 2-minute stint in a loss to Miami on Monday.

Sanders also played four games this season with the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers’ Development League affiliate.

In search of frontcourt help, Cleveland announced on Wednesday that it was signing 7-foot-3 Edy Tavares, a former second round draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks.

Sanders was recruited to VCU by former Rams Coach Anthony Grant. He played two seasons under Coach Grant and one under Coach Shaka Smart before leaving for the NBA after his junior year.

On a brighter note, former VCU standout Troy Daniels will be representing the Memphis Grizzlies this weekend as the NBA playoffs begin.

Memphis will face the San Antonio Spurs in a first-round, best-of-seven series.

Undrafted coming out of VCU, Daniels is in his fourth season with the NBA. He played previously with the Houston Rockets, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Charlotte Hornets.

In his first season with Memphis, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Roanoke is averaging 8.3 points and 17.5 minutes per game.

Daniels has made 137 of 351 3-pointers for 39 percent. His career average is 251 for 616, or 41 percent.

Two other former VCU players, Briante Weber and Treveon Graham, played this season for the Charlotte Hornets, who failed to qualify for playoffs.