The NBA has suspended Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders 10 games for a second violation of the anti-drug program, the league announced Friday. Sanders previously served a five-game suspension last season for marijuana.
Larry Sanders suspended 10 games for substance abuse violation
The Bucks’ center will serve a second suspension for a drug violation.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not immediately clear if marijuana was again Sanders’ drug of choice in this violation. Sanders was outspoken against his first suspension last April, saying “the stigma is that [marijuana is] illegal. I hate that.”
NBA rules stipulate that a second substance abuse violation is punished with a minimum 10 game suspension and the continuation of mandatory counseling. Should Sanders test positive a third time, he will face a 25-game suspension. In the event of a fourth positive test, he will be banned for a minimum of two years.
Just when Sanders begins serving his suspension is an open question. He has not played since Dec. 24, when he was sent away from the team for what coach Jason Kidd deemed “personal reasons.” It’s not clear what those reasons are. A report surfaced that Sanders was contemplating quitting the game, which he and his representation vehemently denied.
Sanders is in the first year of a four-year, $44 million contract that was signed after a breakout 2012-13 season. He was averaging 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in just under 22 minutes per game.
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