NBA suspends Hawks’ Collins for violating drug policy

Collins at the Pentagon in 2019. Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Strategic Engagement Kim Joiner meets with current and former NBA/WNBA players and operation staff to discuss the #KnowYourMil initiative, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 24, 2019. (Photo By DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando, Public Domain)

ANKARA — Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins has been suspended for 25 games for violating the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) anti-drug policy, the league announced on Tuesday.

“The NBA announced Collins, 22, tested positive for Peptide-2. He is Atlanta’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer,” the NBA said in a statement.

The statement said Collins is the third player to be handed 25-game suspensions without pay for drug violations this season.

“On August 29, the league suspended Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler for testing positive for Ipamorelin, a drug that increases the release of growth hormone,” it added.

This season Atlanta Hawks’ Collins — averaged 17 points and 8.8 rebounds per game — became the third player, who had a positive test result after Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler.

“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 us in this position,” Collins told sports broadcaster ESPN.