Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks has been suspended on the eve of the NBL's post-season after returning an adverse finding from a drug test.
The 29-year-old was a sudden withdrawal from the Kings' final regular-season game, before being named in the All-NBL Second Team at Monday's awards gala.
On Tuesday, two days before the Kings' sudden-death Qualifier against Adelaide and hours before Perth and South East Melbourne tip-off in the post-season opener, Basketball Australia confirmed his immediate, provisional suspension.
It follows notification from Sports Integrity Australia of an adverse analytical finding and potential violation of the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy.
Fringe Boomers talent Cooks was Grand Final MVP in 2022 and NBL MVP in 2023, helping the Kings win the NBL title in both seasons.
He then signed with the NBA's Washington Wizards, playing 10 games before being waived, shifting to Japan's B League, then rejoining the Kings this season.
Cooks averaged 15.4 points, 3.9 assists and 8.7 this season.
Drug bans in basketball are uncommon but not unheard of.
Cleveland NBA star Tristan Thompson copped a 25-game ban early last year after testing positive to two banned substances.
And in 2011 New Zealand Breakers guard Corey Webster was banned for 12 months - the minimum sentence - by The Australian Court of Arbitration for Sport after smoking synthetic cannabis, his second drug offence.
