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Hornets' Andersen kicked out of NBA for drug use
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- New Orleans Hornets forward Chris Andersen was dismissed
and disqualified from the NBA on Friday for violating the league's
drug policy.
Gregory Shamus/NBAE via Getty Images
The "Birdman" is the first NBA player banned for drug violations since
Stanley Roberts in 1999.
Andersen must wait two years before he can apply for reinstatement,
the league said.
According to the league's collective bargaining agreement, a player
can only be disqualified for a fourth positive test for
performance-enhancing drugs, or a first positive test for "drugs of
abuse."
The drugs on that list are amphetamine and its analogs, which include
methamphetamine; cocaine; LSD; opiates, including heroin, codeine and
morphine; and PCP.
Andersen has not previously been suspended for steroid use.
Andersen, 27, averaged 5.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 32 games this
season, his fifth in the NBA. He played three seasons for the Nuggets
before joining the Hornets.
He has a four-year, $14 million contract with the Hornets through the
2008-09 season that pays him $3.5 million a year.
Hornets owner George ****nn said in a statement released by the team,
"we were obviously disappointed and saddened to hear that Chris has
been dismissed from the league.
"On behalf of his teammates, coaches and the entire organization, we
wish him well and hope he learns from this experience," ****nn said.
Known as "Birdman" for his high-flying dunks, Andersen was a favorite
among Hornets fans in Oklahoma City, where the team is playing most of
its home games this season.
Neither the NBA nor the union is allowed to comment on specifics of a
player's drug test.
"The players' association plans on filing a grievance on Chris
Andersen's behalf," union spokesman Dan Wasserman said. "Our
expectation is that a grievance hearing will take place in
approximately two weeks."
The hearing will be heard by an independent grievance arbitrator.
Andersen played in 67 games for the Hornets last season, averaging 7.7
points and 6.1 rebounds.
He is best known for his performance in the NBA's dunk contest last
year when he needed eight tries to finish his first dunk.
Andersen is the first player kicked out because of drugs since Stanley
Roberts in 1999.
Players who test positive for steroids or performance enhancing drugs,
masking agents and diurectics get a 10-game suspension (1st offense),
a 25-game suspension (2nd offense), a one-year suspension (3rd
offense) and disqualification (4th offense).
Marijuana penalties are a $25,000 fine (2nd offense), a five-game
suspension (3rd offense), a 10-game suspension (4th offense), and five
additional games for each subsequent violation.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this re****t.
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