Didi Louzada Receives 25-Game Suspension for NBA Doping

Didi Louzada, a Brazilian wing who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, was suspended for 25 games in the 2021/22 NBA season this Friday (19). He violated the American basketball league’s drug policy.

According to a statement from the NBA, the 22-year-old athlete had a positive anti-doping test for drostanolone and testosterone, substances banned for their anabolic action.

“When I was in Brazil, during the holidays, I consulted a nutritionist who recommended me some vitamins and supplements. As she has a history of working with professional athletes, I would never have imagined that there could be a prohibited substance or any type of contamination,” stated the player in a note released by his press office.

“Once I learned of the test result, I collaborated with the league and union to understand exactly what happened. I would never intentionally use 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,” he added.

The Brazilian athlete was recruited by the Atlanta Hawks and soon switched to the New Orleans team in the 2019 draft. He then spent two years on loan to the Sydney Kings of Australia to gain experience. At the end of the 2020/21 NBA season, he returned to the US in time to play three games and had his contract renewed for four seasons.

In the current edition of the league, the winger played in 2 of the team’s 16 games and spent little time on the court (seven minutes in total). Besides him, Brazil has just one more player in action in the NBA, point guard Raulzinho, from the Washington Wizards.

During the 25-game suspension, Didi will not receive payouts from his team. The first punishment match will be on Friday night, against the Los Angeles Clippers. The New Orleans Pelicans are second to bottom in the Western Conference, with 14 losses and 2 wins so far.