Veteran center Al Jefferson of the Charlotte Hornets has been suspended by the NBA for five games without pay for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Jefferson is currently in the team's injured list with a strained left calf and will serve the five-game suspension when he becomes physically able to play, according to the league's official website.

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As outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the players' union and the NBA, players are suspended by the league for five games as the mandated punishment for a third positive marijuana test and not an HGH or performance-enhancing-drug violation.

According to a CBS Sports report, the Hornets will not likely suffer too much from this circumstance. The team has actually played better with Jefferson sidelined, focusing more on spreading the floor with their new 3-point shot heavy attack.

The Michael Jordan-owned Hornets released the following statement:

"We are disappointed in Al's decisions that led to this suspension. As an organization, we do not condone this behavior. We have addressed this with Al. He is regretful and understands that we expect him to learn from this mistake."

Jefferson issued a statement through the team apologizing to the organization, team owner Micheal Jordan, his fans and teammates for what he called was a "poor decision".

For the 2015-16 season, he was averaging 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Hornets, which are below his career averages of 16.9 points and nine rebounds per game. Jefferson stated that he first learned of the positive drug test "about two weeks ago".

Al Jefferson played high school basketball for Prentiss High School in Mississippi. He skipped college and entered the 2004 NBA draft, where he was picked 15th overall by the Boston Celtics. He has formerly played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz as well.

Jefferson was a 2014 All-NBA Third Team and a 2005 NBA All-Rookie Second Team member. He is in the final season of a three-year contract with the Hornets. 

TagsMichael Jordan, Charlotte Hornets, Al Jefferson, NBA news, NBA 2015, anti-drug, marijuana