Hidayet Turkoglu suspended for steroid use

Hidayet Turkoglu (206 cm) of the NBA’s Orlando Magic has been suspended 20 games for testing positive for methenolene, an anabolic steroid.

The Turkish player did not deny that he took the prohibited drug and apologized to the Orlando Magic organization. He said that he took the medication from a trainer in Turkey during the Summer and neglected to check if it was on the NBA’s list of banned substances. He took responsibility for his actions and regrets that he was not more diligent in making sure that what he was taking for his shoulder injury was accepted by the league’s rules.

As a player, this is the worst situation that you want to be in. … I should have double-checked and researched and shouldn’t be in this situation. – Hedo Turkoglu

He underwent the drug test in December 2012 and informed Magic GM Rob Hennigan about the suspension last week.

He’s had a rough 2012-13 season so far. He’s missed 28 games of the season due to a broken bone in his hand. He has only managed to play 11 games for the Magic and has logged career-low averages of 2.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, and 2.1 apg.