Only three weeks into the 2019-2020 NBA season and an issue with drug use has already landed four players in suspension.  Stars like Deandre Ayton, John Collins, and role player, Wilson Chandler, sit for a 25 game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

Deandre Ayton was caught using a diuretic, a drug used to cause urination which could hint to the use of other substances, but no other was found in his system making it unlikely he was.  Ayton was the first the NBA’s annual draft in 2018, currently plays center for the Phoenix Suns, and finished his first season averaging 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.7. After his suspension, Ayton made a formal apology to the press:

“I want to apologize to my family, the entire Sun’s organization, my teammates, partners, our fans and the Phoenix community. This was an unintentional mistake and unfortunately, I put something in my body that I was completely unaware of…”

John Collins is one of the most recent stars facing suspension due to the use of a drug violating the NBA/NBPA anti-drug policy. Collins averaged 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season and was already breaking his last year stats until he was caught with growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 in his system leading to a 25 game suspension. He would go on to make a formal apology to the fans and the organization:

“First I want to apologize to my teammates, the Hawks organization, our fans, partners and community as a whole for this situation. I understand the impact this matter has on what we are trying to achieve together this season, and I am incredibly frustrated and disappointed in myself for putting all of us in this position,” said Collins to the press.

Fans of the league are left deeply frustrated with so many young stars having their seasons start like this. When asked on their thoughts about the recent suspensions a fan replied:

“I think they need to learn self-control because they are professional athletes and they are role models to kids,” said Devin Landrum (10).

Young viewers across the world are watching the league and looking up to the players and are not setting an example for those who do look up to the players.