How often are NBA players drug-tested? Understanding the rules and protocol of the process

The NBA is the most popular basketball league in the world. The league is not only popular in the United States, but in many other countries, which is no surprise considering how many athletic players play in it.

However, the league also needs to make sure that everyone is on a level playing field. Due to this, players are tested for performance-enhancing drugs or other forbidden substances.

Let's take a look at the rules, the number of tests players can undergo, and other important details.

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NBA drug testing can be done several times during a season

Drug testing in the popular basketball league can be done randomly during both the regular season and the offseason. Players are not allowed to take illegal substances, which is why there are strict anti-drug rules in place.

The league can test players up to four times during the regular season and twice in the offseason. Half of these tests are tests for the human growth hormone (HGH), which is a popular performance-enchancing substance.

Tyreke Evans was banned from the league for two years (Image via Getty Images)

It's important to note that the NBA does not test players for marijuana anymore. Before the 2020-21 season, drug tests involved tests for marijuana as well, but this rule has since changed.

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The total number of tests the league can do is 2,125. Considering that there are approximately 450 active players at any given moment, this comes down to around four tests per player.

Besides random drug tests, players can be tested for a reasonable cause. If the league receives credible information that a player has been using drugs, the player can be tested. This can occur four times within six weeks.

Ja Morant, who is having another fantastic season with the Memphis Grizzlies, called the league out in January 2023. Morant was drug tested seven times, which is why he believed that he was being targeted.

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Players can be suspended or banned for violating anti-drug policy

Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns was suspended for 25 games at the start of the 2019-20 season. The Suns center had a great performance in the season opener with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but it turned out that he used illegal substances.

Many other players have been suspended for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, including John Collins (25 games), Joakim Noah (20 games) and Rashard Lewis (10 games).

John Collins was suspended for using illegal substances (Image via Getty Images)

The NBA has even banned several players for violating anti-drug rules. Tyreke Evans received a two-year ban in 2018, while Jalen Harris was banned during his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors.

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Chris Andersen was banned permanently in 2006. He filed a grievance against the league, but his initial request for reinstatement was denied. The big man was reinstated two years after his ban and ended up winning a championship with the Miami Heat in 2013.