Suns big man DeAndre Ayton suspended 25 games after testing positive for banned substance

Phoenix Suns fans were starting to feel optimistic about the team for the first time in ages. Then this happens…

The NBA announced Thursday that they have suspended second-year center DeAndre Ayton 25 games for violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program. In a recent drug test, he tested positive for a banned substance called diuretic, which is often used by athletes to dilute the drugs in your system by increasing the volume of urine, and/or to rapidly lose weight.

The 21-year old didn’t reveal too much about the suspension, but did release an immediately apology.

“I want to apologize to my family, the entire Suns organization, my teammates, partners, our fans and the Phoenix community,” said Ayton.

“This was an unintentional mistake and unfortunately I put something in my body that I was completely unaware of.”

He will be going through the arbitration process to get the suspension reduced, and added he is “hopeful for a positive resolution.” The hope is that the NBA will find that the drug was “unknowingly ingested”

Ayton, who was selected first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in his rookie campaign last season.

He posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the team’s 124-95 season-opening win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.