The National Basketball Association (NBA) has slapped a 25-game suspension on Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton for violating the NBA-NBPA’s anti-drug policy with a positive test for a diuretic.
Diuretics are banned because they can mask performance-enhancing drug use.
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, would lose $2.17 million over a 25-game suspension, an espn.com report said.
“I want to apologize to my family, the entire Suns organization, my teammates, partners, our fans and the Phoenix community,” Ayton said in a statement.
He added: “This was an unintentional mistake and unfortunately I put something in my body that I was completely unaware of.
“I do understand the unfortunate impact that this has on so many others, and for that I am deeply sorry. I’m extremely disappointed that I’ve let my team down.
“I will continue to work with the NBPA to go through arbitration and am hopeful of a positive resolution.”
The team also issued a statement.
“On behalf of the Phoenix Suns organization, (coach) Monty Williams and I are disappointed in the actions by Deandre Ayton that led to his testing positive for a banned diuretic and subsequent suspension by the NBA. This does not uphold the standards and principles we have set for the team,” Suns general manager James Jones said.
