14 Nov 2011

Two-year suspension for doping violation

7:31 pm on 14 November 2011

The Sports Tribunal has suspended a National Basketball League player for two years after he admitted a doping violation.

Daniel Ryan tested positive for D-Methamphetamine and D-Amphetamine after playing for the Waikato Pistons in the NBL semi-final.

Ryan's initial defence was that he believed his season was over when he took what he thought was a legal party pill while out drinking.

He said the drug was taken when he didn't know he would be called in at the last minute to play.

He said he had taken it for relaxation and stress relief and not to enhance performance.

Ryan later said he would not challenge the mandatory penalty of two years.