Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks has tested positive to a recreational drug for the second time in as many years.
The Boomers representative, who played 10 NBA games for Washington in 2023, returned an in-competition test that showed traces of the metabolite of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC is a psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
The positive test reportedly came during this year’s grand final series against Adelaide, whom the Kings defeated to claim a sixth NBL title.
Cooks served a one-month period of ineligibility between June 4 and July 4 and has returned to training with the Kings ahead of the 2026/27 season, which starts on September 19.
“I want to sincerely apologise to my teammates, our fans, the club, and everyone who has supported me,” Cooks said.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and understand the disappointment and frustration this has caused.”
One of the NBL’s highest-paid players, Cooks tested positive to cocaine just before the 2024-25 finals.
A one-month ban forced him to watch from the sidelines as Adelaide ended the Kings’ campaign in sudden death.
Ahead of this year’s run to championship glory, Cooks told AAP that he had been thinking about his misstep “a lot”.
“The moment we qualified for the play-offs, I thought about that, and how much of a blessing it is to be able to play in the play-offs this year,” he said in March.
Kings chief executive Mark Thompson said the club had been supporting Cooks through his latest incident.
“We hold ourselves to strong professional standards,” he said in a statement.
“When those standards are not met, we respond appropriately and work to ensure our people receive the support, education and guidance they need.”
