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

While Phoenix Suns won the opening game of the regular season against Sacramento Kings 124-95, they 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 the Suns take on the Denver Nuggets.

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

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Previous cases of NBA Anti-drug violation

This is not the 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 the terms of the league’s anti-drug policy.  In 2017  two-time All-Star Joakim Noah was suspended under the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs giving him a 20-game penalty.

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Deandre Ayton on his suspension

Ayton was the No 1 pick in the 2018 draft. He averaged 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks last season as a rookie. In the Suns' 2019-20 season opener on Wednesday he finished the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks in 33 minutes.

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Following the suspension Aytons aid that he wants to apologize to his family, the entire Suns organization, his teammates, partners, fans and the 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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The star center said that he will continue to work with the Player's Union (NBPA) to go through the arbitration process and is hopeful for a positive resolution.