New Orleans Pelicans guard Didi Louzada has been suspended 25 games for violating the NBA and NBAPA’s anti-drug program. The NBA confirmed he tested positive for drostanolone and testosterone. New Orleans selected the 22-year-old Brazilian with the 35th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Louzada spent a few years with the Sydney Kings of the NBL before the Pelicans brought him over during the 2020-21 NBA season. This past offseason he signed a multi-year deal to stay with the team long-term.
ESPN Sources: NBA has suspended Pelicans forward DiDi Louzada for 25 games without pay for violating the NBA/NBPA’s Anti-Drug program. Louzada tested positive for Drostanolone and Testosterone.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2021
After Didi Louzada has been out for five games, the Pelicans can transfer him to the Suspended List. New Orleans would then be able to sign a player to replace Louzada on the roster.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 19, 2021
After the suspension was announced Didi Louzada released a statement and explanation for the failed drug test. He claims on a trip home to Brazil and in a consultation with a nutritionist, he was advised on this and would never knowingly ingest something on the NBA banned substance list. Louzada also offered up an apology for what happened.
New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin released the following statement after the announcement of the suspension: “On behalf of the New Orleans Pelicans organization, we were disappointed to learn that Didi Louzada violated the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. After speaking with Didi, we are confident that he understands the full gravity of the situation and regrets the decisions that led to the suspension. We fully support Didi on and off the court as he learns and grows from this experience.”
