Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu has been suspended for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. According to Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com, Turkoglu tested positive for methenolone.
Methenolone, not to be confused with methadone, is an anabolic steroid. According to Wikipedia, it’s found in nature in the adrenal glands of “pregnant domesticated felines.” Nadzeya Ostapchuk, a shot putter from Belarus, was stripped of a gold medal in the Olympics when she tested positive for methenolone.
Here’s Turkoglu’s statement, via Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
“While I was back home in Turkey this past summer, I was given a medication by my trainer to help recover more quickly from a shoulder injury,” Turkoglu said in the statement. “I didn’t know that this was a banned substance and didn’t check before taking it.
“I take full responsibility for anything that goes into my body. This was a complete error in judgment on my part and I apologize to the Orlando Magic organization, the league, my teammates, and the Magic fans. I know I have let down a lot of people and I am truly sorry for my mistake.”
Hennigan said: “Hedo unknowingly took a banned substance. There are more than 125 banned substances on the NBA List, and we spend a lot of time educating our players on the contents of that list and will certainly continue to do so moving forward. We believe this was an honest mistake.”