NBA player handed down 25-game suspension from league
This definitely wasn’t the news the Washington Wizards — a team known for distractions — needed on the eve of the playoffs.
Guard Jodie Meeks has been suspended for 25 games, including the entire postseason, after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the compounds in question are ipamorelin and growth-hormone-releasing peptide-2.
Meeks, who played in 77 games this season, denies ever knowingly using PEDs.
In a statement to ESPN, the well-traveled guard said, “For the past nine years I have been humbled every day to have the opportunity to walk into an NBA arena and see the name Meeks on the back of an NBA jersey. As part of my commitment to playing in the NBA for nine years, I have been subject to countless mandatory tests for any and all drugs including performance enhancing drugs. I have passed each and every drug test without issue for the last nine years.”
Meeks said he will be appealing what he called a “wrongful accusation.”
“Because I have never used a drug of any kind I am absolutely heartbroken and perplexed with the news today,” he said. “Let me be clear: I have never taken anything whatsoever for a performance-enhancing reason. I respect the game of basketball too much.
“I look forward to exercising my rights under the [NBA] collective bargaining agreement to bring this matter to arbitration and to clear my name in relation to this wrongful accusation.”
The Kentucky product is in his first season in Washington, and has a reputation as a good teammate.
He played about 15 minutes per game, averaging just over six points per outing.
For a team sorting through personnel issues, including the return of All-Star John Wall, this isn’t a great way to get ready for a series against the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the Raptors.
Candace Buckner, who covers the Wizards for The Washington Post, quoted Wall as calling Meeks’ suspension “shocking.”
John Wall reaction when the news of Jodie Meeks' 25-game suspension came down:
"That's shocking. That's the first time I heard that. Sad to hear it. Wish the best for him. Hoping he can clear that up."
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) April 13, 2018
Buckner also caught up with Meeks’ father, Orestes, who said he was “stunned.”
Orestes Meeks, father of #Wizards G Jodie Meeks, on his son's 25-game suspension for violation of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug program:
"I think he’s as shocked as anybody else. He was stunned."
(Story first reported by @wojespn)
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) April 13, 2018
Unlike a discipline-related suspension, Meeks will not be allowed to play while appealing his penalty.
“Unfortunately, under the rules of the CBA, until the process plays out, I will be unable to participate in the playoffs,” his statement read. “I deeply regret and apologize for any distraction this causes the organization and my teammates as they march towards a championship playoff run.”
The Wizards tip off their postseason Saturday afternoon in Toronto.
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