Al Jefferson Suspended Five Games For Violating NBA Drug Policy

Charlotte Hornets forward Al Jefferson is currently sidelined with a leg injury. His absence will now be five games longer, thanks to a violation of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug program. While no one is quite sure when he will return, the NBA stated that Jefferson’s suspension can’t serve the suspension until he is healthy enough to otherwise return to the line-up.

“I just feel so low right now for every little boy and every little girl who looks at me as somebody they look up to,” Jefferson said. “For me to make mistakes like this, it’s not cool. It’s not cool for them, and it’s not cool for me. That kills me more than anything.”

Jefferson also released a statement through the team apologizing to the club, owner Michael Jordan, his teammates and fans for his “poor decision.”

The drug in question is suspected to be marijuana, but Jefferson would not confirm or deny that. “I failed a drug test,” he said when asked about the illegal substance.

Photo: Al Jefferson #25 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play during their game against the Chicago Bulls at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 3, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina.