Post by : Jyoti Gupta

Photo:X/@XHSports

Two American basketball players, Montrezl Harrell and Troy Gillenwater, have been caught using banned substances while playing in China’s local basketball league in April.

Both players were tested after their games — Harrell on April 15 while playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, and Gillenwater on April 16 while playing for the Guangdong Southern Tigers. Their tests showed they had Carboxy-THC in their bodies. This substance comes from cannabis, which is not allowed during competitions under international sports rules.

They decided not to get their second ("B") sample tested, which usually gives players a chance to prove the first result wrong. Since both players accepted the result, the Chinese basketball league says it will wait for the final decision from the anti-doping agency before giving out punishments.

Montrezl Harrell is a well-known player who played for several NBA teams and was once named the best power forward in US college basketball. Troy Gillenwater also has a strong career history, playing for New Mexico State University.

The league says it has zero tolerance for doping and will always protect fairness and honesty in sports.