An NBA player was suspended for 25 games after violating anti-drug protocol

News was known that impacted South American basketball in the best league in the world. Didi Louzada, Brazilian player who plays in the New Orleans Pelicans, received a harsh sanction after it was known that he violated the anti-drug regulations that has the league in conjunction with the Association of Players of the competition. The NBA fined him 25 games without playing and not getting paid during that period..

In a statement issued by Commissioner Adam Silver’s office, Louzada was confirmed to have tested positive for drostanolone and testosterone, two prohibited substances. At the same time, the report confirmed that the sanction will begin in the match that the Pelicans will play tonight, as locals in the Smoothie King Center, against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Once the suspension was known, the Brazilian player who signed a contract with the franchise in April of this year, issued a statement in which he reported that he ingested those substances without knowing it on his last trip to his native country.

“When I was in Brazil during the low season, I consulted a nutritionist who recommended that I take some vitamins and supplements”Louzada said in the statement.

“Because he has a history of working with professional athletes, I never would have imagined that any of those substances would be banned or could be contaminated. Once I learned of the positive test, I immediately cooperated fully with the league and union to help us understand what exactly happened, ”added the 22-year-old who was chosen 35th in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, but was later sent to the Pelicans as part of another trade during the player picks lottery.

“I would never consciously take something that violates NBA rules. I accept my responsibility in this situation. I am deeply sorry this happened and I apologize to my team, my teammates, and the Pelicans fans for this mistake.“Said Louzada.

The basketball player, who is 1.95 meters tall and plays in the guard position, He started practicing futsal until at age 10 he turned to basketball. In his country he wore the Franca shirt until, in 2019, he signed a contract with the Sydney Kings, a team that plays in the highest category of basketball in Australia.

For its part, once the sanction for Louzada was known, the one that also ruled on the issue was the NBA franchise through its vice president of operations. “On behalf of the New Orleans Pelicans organization, we were disappointed to learn that Didi Louzada violated the NBA / NBPA Anti-Drug Program”David Griffin said.

“After speaking with Didi, we are sure that he understands the seriousness of the situation and regrets the decisions that led to the suspension. We fully support Didi on and off the pitch as he learns and grows from this experience.”Added the New Orleans manager.

The brazilian only participated in five games in the NBA and so far this season he has participated with the Pelicans’ G-League affiliate in Birmingham.

KEEP READING: