Tania Ganguli
Sentinel Staff Writer
6:35 PM EDT, August 6, 2009
Orlando Magic All-Star forward Rashard Lewis tested positive for a testosterone-producing substance, dehydroepiandrosterone, which is commonly known as DHEA, and will be suspended without pay 10 games at the beginning of the season.
The Sentinel's Mike Bianchi first reported the news.
Lewis's suspension will begin on the first game of the regular season in which he is eligible and physically able to play.
"I hope this unintentional mistake will not reflect poorly on our team and its great character," Lewis said in a statement.
Lewis, who will turn 30 on Saturday, said he took an over-the-counter supplement near the end of last season which he did not know contained the banned substance. He told the Sentinel the substance was in powder form and he mixed it into smoothies. He got it at a nutritional store, but did not specify the name of the store.
According to an NBA source, Lewis failed one drug test during the playoffs last season and was so surprised by the outcome he asked to be tested again during the Finals. Lewis also failed that test.
"The biggest thing I told him is we're a team, we're a family, we all do crazy stupid things and sometimes we have to make adjustments," Magic General Manager Otis Smith said. "That's what kids do, sometimes they make mistakes. I don't know if it was a knowing mistake, I don't think it was."
Dr. Gary Wadler, Chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List and Methods Sub-Committee, said whether or not DHEA is categorized as a steroid depends on the governing body. The NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Agreement classifies DHEA as a steroid.
"DHEA is a compound which converts to androstenedione, Andro from the McGwire days, and that in turn converts into testosterone," Wadler said. "...It is very widely used in supplemental and complementary kind of medicines and it's in food stores."
As for DHEA's performance-enhancing capabilities, Wadler said the drug is "not very effective."
According to the Mayo Clinic, the human body naturally produces the drug and that natural production degreases after age 30. In addition to its muscle-building effects, DHEA is also used to treat adrenal insufficiency, depression and in the induction of labor.
Per the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Agreement, players are randomly tested without notice four times each season by a third-party entity. The NBA or NBPA can also request a player be tested upon suspicion.
A first positive test for steroids or performance enhancing drugs results in a 10-game suspension. The second offense results in a 25-game suspension and a third violation will garner a one-year suspension.
Reach Tania Ganguli at tganguli@orlandosentinel.com. Mike Bianchi and Josh Robbins contributed to this report.
Orlando Sentinal
Sentinel Staff Writer
6:35 PM EDT, August 6, 2009
Orlando Magic All-Star forward Rashard Lewis tested positive for a testosterone-producing substance, dehydroepiandrosterone, which is commonly known as DHEA, and will be suspended without pay 10 games at the beginning of the season.
The Sentinel's Mike Bianchi first reported the news.
Lewis's suspension will begin on the first game of the regular season in which he is eligible and physically able to play.
"I hope this unintentional mistake will not reflect poorly on our team and its great character," Lewis said in a statement.
Lewis, who will turn 30 on Saturday, said he took an over-the-counter supplement near the end of last season which he did not know contained the banned substance. He told the Sentinel the substance was in powder form and he mixed it into smoothies. He got it at a nutritional store, but did not specify the name of the store.
According to an NBA source, Lewis failed one drug test during the playoffs last season and was so surprised by the outcome he asked to be tested again during the Finals. Lewis also failed that test.
"The biggest thing I told him is we're a team, we're a family, we all do crazy stupid things and sometimes we have to make adjustments," Magic General Manager Otis Smith said. "That's what kids do, sometimes they make mistakes. I don't know if it was a knowing mistake, I don't think it was."
Dr. Gary Wadler, Chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List and Methods Sub-Committee, said whether or not DHEA is categorized as a steroid depends on the governing body. The NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Agreement classifies DHEA as a steroid.
"DHEA is a compound which converts to androstenedione, Andro from the McGwire days, and that in turn converts into testosterone," Wadler said. "...It is very widely used in supplemental and complementary kind of medicines and it's in food stores."
As for DHEA's performance-enhancing capabilities, Wadler said the drug is "not very effective."
According to the Mayo Clinic, the human body naturally produces the drug and that natural production degreases after age 30. In addition to its muscle-building effects, DHEA is also used to treat adrenal insufficiency, depression and in the induction of labor.
Per the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Agreement, players are randomly tested without notice four times each season by a third-party entity. The NBA or NBPA can also request a player be tested upon suspicion.
A first positive test for steroids or performance enhancing drugs results in a 10-game suspension. The second offense results in a 25-game suspension and a third violation will garner a one-year suspension.
Reach Tania Ganguli at tganguli@orlandosentinel.com. Mike Bianchi and Josh Robbins contributed to this report.
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