The NBA has suspended New Orleans Pelicans forward DiDi Louzada 25 games for violating the league and players association’s Anti-Drug program by testing positive for Drostanolone and Testosterone. The suspension begins Friday as the Pelicans take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
Louzada, a 22-year-old second-round draft pick in 2019, has played in five NBA games, all with the Pelicans — three in 2020-21 and two so far in 2021-22, while also spending time with the Pelicans’ G-League affiliate in Birmingham. He hasn’t scored a point through roughly seven minutes of total NBA play this season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Louzada says he unknowingly ingested the banned substances during an off-season trip back home to Brazil with a recommended nutritionist.
“When I was in Brazil during the off-season, I consulted a nutritionist who recommended I take some vitamins and supplements,” said Louzada in a statement obtained by ESPN. “Because she has a history of working with professional athletes, I would never have imagined that any of those substances would be banned or could be contaminated. Once I learned of the positive test, I immediately cooperated completely with the league and union to help all of us understand what exactly occurred.
“I would never knowingly take anything that violates NBA rules. I accept my responsibility in this situation. I deeply regret that this happened and I apologize to my team, my teammates, and Pelicans fans for this mistake.”
Louzada signed a four-year, $7,686,312 contract with the Pelicans during the off-season. The final two years of the deal are non-guaranteed.
