Deandre Ayton suspended for 25 games for violating NBA’s Anti-Drug policy

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns and former Arizona Wildcats big man Deandre Ayton has been suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA’s Anti-Drug policy, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The former No. 1 overall pick tested positive for a diuretic, per the report.

Suns center Deandre Ayton is facing a 25-game suspension for violating NBA’s Anti-Drug policy with a positive test for a diuretic, league sources tell ESPN. The NBA informed Ayton and Suns of looming suspension tonight.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2019

It sounds like Ayton plans to appeal the suspension:

The NBPA is already preparing arbitration case to reduce or rescind penalty, based on belief positive test falls under CBA provision of ‘unintentional ingestion', league sources tell ESPN. Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. https://t.co/UM34cCc3Ol

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2019

If the suspension is upheld, it will cost Ayton roughly $2.2 million in salary. The 7-footer had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the Suns’ opener on Wednesday.

Ayton averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game as a rookie last season, getting named to the All-NBA Rookie First Team.

Ayton was a consensus All-American, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and the winner of the Karl Malone Award in his lone season at Arizona.

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