Justin Brownlee of Gilas Pilipinas vs China in Asian Games. PSC/POC pool
Justin Brownlee, who played a starring role to help the Gilas Pilipinas win its first Asian Games basketball gold since 1962, has failed a doping test, officials said Thursday, October 12, 2023.
The American-born Brownlee tested positive for the banned Carboxy-THC, the Lausanne-based International Testing Agency (ITA) said. Carboxy-THC is linked to cannabis use.
Anti-doping rule violation: The ITA reports that a sample collected from basketball player Justin Brownlee (Philippines) during the@19thAGofficial has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for a specified prohibited substance.
▶️ https://t.co/2urC0BJnAV#KeepingSportReal pic.twitter.com/yrgEz2IKFx
— International Testing Agency (@IntTestAgency) October 12, 2023
READ MORE: Gilas Pilipinas beats Jordan for Asian Games gold
“The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 7 October 2023,” the ITA said.
“The athlete has been informed of the case. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.”
The Philippines beat Jordan 70-60 in the men’s basketball final on October 6 with Brownlee pouring in 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The 19th Asian Games ended on Sunday.
Separately, the ITA said that Jordan’s basketball player Sami Bzai had tested positive for a banned steroid.
He also has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.
It takes the total number of known doping cases at the Games to 10.
READ MORE: Gilas Pilipinas beats China, makes Asian Games finals