By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
At first it was reported that the possible ban of David Hawkins for using banned substances could be up to 30 months, but the punishment for the former player of Galatasaray and Besiktas was even harsher.
As it was officially announced by the Turkish basketball federation, Hawkins is banned from professional basketball for four years and he has also to pay a fine of 10.000 Turkish Liras (less than 5.000 euros). The substance detected in his blood was Methylecgonine, a common metabolite of cocaine. After the decision of the federation Hawkins’ three year contract with Galatasaray, which was signed last summer, is void.
Hawkins’ defense was the claim that he received a package with cigarettes and food by a friend of his and probably that’s how the player was exposed to the banned substances.