Bucks' Larry Sanders suspended again for drug use

Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders is suspended for at least 10 games for a failed drug test, the NBA announced Friday.

Though the NBA did not release details about the latest test, Sanders was suspended last year for a third failed marijana test. And the NBA/NBPA anti-drug policy calls for a suspension of five games more than the previous suspension upon subsequent failures. The policy calls for the suspension to last until the player has completed in-patient or aftercare treatment.

The 10-game suspension also could be the result of a first failed performance-enhancing drug test, according to the policy. But Sanders, 26, came out last year as an advocate for marijuana use.

"It's something I feel strongly about, just to let you know something personal about me," Sanders told The (Milwaukee) Journal Sentinel in April 2014. "I will deal with the consequences from it. It's a banned substance in my league. But I believe in marijuana and the medical side of it. I know what it is if I'm going to use it.

"I study it and I know the benefits it has. In a lot of ways we've been deprived. You can't really label it with so many other drugs that people can be addicted to and have so many negative effects on your body and your family and your relationships and impairment. This is not the same thing.

All things Bucks: Latest Milwaukee Bucks news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

"The stigma is that it's illegal. I hate that. Once this becomes legal, this all will go away. But I understand for my work it's a banned substance. I will deal with the consequences and I apologize again to my fans for that."

The 6-11 defensive specialist has seen his numbers dip the past two years, since signing a four-year, $44 million contract extension in 2013. Sanders is averaging 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game this season, after posting 9.8, 9.5 and 2.8 in 2012-13.

Sanders also has not played since Dec. 23, with the team citing personal reasons for most of the absences.

But the Bucks have thrived under first-year coach Jason Kidd, going 21-19 after being the worst team in the NBA last season. Sanders' minutes likely will go to backups Zaza Pachulia and John Henson, who has come on of late with highly efficient play.

"We are disappointed to learn the news of Larry's suspension," the Bucks said in a statement Friday night. "We will continue to work with Larry and the league to ensure he has the support he needs."