Kings center Brad Miller has been suspended for the first five games of the 2008-09 season after violating terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program, the league announced Thursday.
"I want to apologize to my family, teammates, fans and entire Kings organization, " Miller said in a statement released by the team. "I made a mistake. It was an error in judgment and I'm very sorry. I regret it deeply. It's something I won't and can't take lightly. I hope to bounce back from this as a better person and I'm excited about the upcoming season."
Miller was coming off a much improved season in the 2007-08 season, averaging 13.4 points and 9.5 rebounds in 72 games played. He missed most of final weeks of the season with a stress fracture in his left leg and bone chips in his right elbow. In the 2006-07 season, Miller struggled through one of his worst campaigns with a left foot injury that led to conditioning and weight issues.
NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program
At a glance
Prohibited substances:
Amphetamine and its analogs, cocaine, LSD, opiates (heroin, codeine and morphine), PCP, marijuana, and steroids.
Testing:
Besides testing "positive" for prohibited substances, players can violate the program for failing to submit to a test or attempting to mask, substitute, dilute or adulterate a urine sample.
Discipline:
Players testing positive for amphetamine and its analogs, cocaine, LSD, opiates, or PCP will be "dismissed and disqualified" from the league.
Players testing positive of steroids will be suspended for 10 games and must enter the program. Second violation is 25 games and re-entry into the program; third violation one calendar year and re-entry into the program; a fourth violation will dismiss the player from the NBA.
Players testing positive first time for marijuana must enter the program; second-time violators fined $25,000 and re-entry into program; third-time violators suspended five and re-entry into program.
Treatment:
Players in the program must comply with the in-patient and aftercare including, but not limited to, random testing for prohibited substances and alcohol. Players seeking treatment outside the program are required to be tested without notice.
- Source: National Basketball Players Association
