John Collins Suspened 25 Games For Using PEDS

“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. I have always been incredibly careful about what I put in my body, but I took a supplement, which, unbeknownst to me, had been contaminated with an illegal component. I plan to appeal my suspension in arbitration so I can get back on the court as soon as possible and continue to contribute to our 2019-20 campaign.”

We’ve seen this song a dance a million times now. An athlete tests positive for an illegal or prohibited substance, then they claim they had no idea it was even in their body. It’s hard to make that case and have a successful appeal after you test positive for a PED like GHRP-2, but we’ve seen crazier things happen.

Collins is the second player to violate the NBA drug policy for use of a growth hormone, and the third player to violate the NBA drug policy this season.

Sun’s center Deandre Ayton was tested positive for a diuretic, and Nets’ forward Wilson Chandler tested positive for Ipamorelin, a substance that is used to spike the release of growth hormone.

The only other player in the history of the NBA to be tested positive for GHRP-2 was Jodie Meeks in 2018.

John Collins is averaging about 17 points and 9 rebounds per game in 32 minutes per game, but will likely miss 25 games and have his appeal denied, a huge blow to the Atlanta Hawks.

What a shame.