Proud of his clean record in the court, Juan Dixon testified in a congressional hearing in 2005 how he maintained a clean regimen and shunned the use of any performance enhancing drugs. The young player told the panel that he and other NBA players had succeeded through hard work and dedication to their dreams and not through the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. Juan Dixon is the nephew of former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.

But after 5 years, his statements may become futile when the news broke out that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid nandrolone while playing for Spanish team Unicaja. Dixon was suspended indefinitely by the Switzerland-based International Basketball Federation. His suspension was caused by a positive test for nandrolone during a test conducted in Greece late last year. According to the Unicaja website, the suspension is indefinite until further notice. They also clarified that Dixon’s steroid test was taken while he was still playing in Greece and not with the Spanish team.

The International Basketball Federation refused to comment on the issue. They have not responded to queries by several media organizations who want to gather more information on the case. Juan Dixon, who is still in Malaga, Spain, is also silent on his suspension. But his wife is quick in defending the former NBA Player. In an interview by the Baltimore Sun, Robyn Dixon said that the positive test could be due to an over the counter supplement. She even made some researches to prove that his husband could be a victim of supplements tainted with steroids.

Robyn Dixon told Baltimore Sun that Juan could be taking an over the counter supplement and had no idea it had any type of steroid in it. “It’s not like he was injecting steroids,” said Robyn. “Playing seven years in the NBA and not having this issue, you don’t think there’s a problem with any of this stuff that’s sold over the counter,” she added. According to her wife, Juan typically will go into GNC and see something and say, ‘I’ll try this.’ If the former Maryland basketball star purchase supplements, it is probably something that would help repair his muscles.

Robyn, who is currently residing in Silver Spring with their two young children, said that she has been doing researches on other athletes who were also tested positive for nandrolone. She believes that there are supplements which can trigger a positive test for steroids. She even quoted an article from a sports website discussing how to avoid a positive nandrolone test when taking supplements. 19-norandrostenedione which is present in some supplements can trigger a positive Nandrolone test. It is chemically related to androstenedione or andro. This substance is commonly banned by major sports organizations.

Dixon played in the NBA for the Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. He also aimed to be part of the Atlanta Hawks but he was not absorbed by the team. He may not produce good stats in the professional league but his amateur record made him a star in Maryland. He led his Terrapins team to the NCAA championship in 2002.

Dixon’s fate in the Spanish team will be determined by the retesting of his urine sample next week.

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