NBA anti drug: Deandre Ayton and other times when players were banned

While Phoenix Suns won opening game of regular season against Sacramento Kings 124-95, y were hit with a huge blow after Deandre Ayton was given 25 game suspension for testing positive. Players are required to submit to drug testing from time-to-time, and Ayton apparently came back with a positive test for a diuretic. Ayton's suspension begins Friday's when Suns take on Denver Nuggets.

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NBA in its statement said that it has suspended Ayton for 25 games without pay for "violating terms of NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for a diuretic.

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Previous cases of NBA Anti-drug violation

This is t first instance when an NBA player has been given suspension for a doping violation. Indiana Pacers guard Tyreke Evans was dismissed and disqualified for at least two years after he violated terms of league’s anti-drug policy.  In 2017  two-time All-Star Joakim ah was suspended under league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs giving him a 20-game penalty.

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Deandre Ayton on his suspension

Ayton was 1 pick in 2018 draft. He averd 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks last season as a rookie. In Suns' 2019-20 season opener on Wednesday he finished game with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks in 33 minutes.

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Following suspension Aytons aid that he wants to apologize to his family, entire Suns organization, his teammates, partners, fans and Phoenix community.  He also said that this was an unintentional mistake and unfortunately I put something in my body that I was completely unaware of.

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star center said that he will continue to work with Player's Union (NBPA) to go through arbitration process and is hopeful for a positive resolution.