Don MacLean First NBA Player Suspended for Steroids

Steroid use is a problem that has become prevalent in professional sports in the last decade.  Commonly, steroids are used in sports that require animalistic amounts of strength, such as football and baseball for power hitters.  In 2000, the sports world was introduced to the first case of steroid use in basketball.

On this day, November 29th, in 2000, Miami Heat player Don MacLean became the first NBA player to be suspended for steroid use. MacLean had tested positive, although he was defended by several athletes, including Charles Barkley.  MacLean’s career ended that season.

Although his professional career may have been tarnished by steroid use, MacLean’s career still has high points.  He won the NBA MVP award in 1994 and still holds the record for all-time scoring in the Pac-12 and UCLA.