‘Help me understand’: Banned NBL star questions Cooks’ doping sanction
Ex-NBL talent Montrezl Harrell has questioned why Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks will be free to play the start of the new season despite twice breaching the league’s anti-doping violations.
Cooks was issued a one-month ban by Basketball Australia, in accordance with the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy, following the result of a doping control test where tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was detected in his system.
Xavier Cooks of the Sydney Kings. Getty
The Kings gun will miss no time on the court for his offence, his second infringement little more than 12 months - and Harrell is fuming about that punishment.
Harrell is serving a two-year ban from all global leagues due to his failure to complete an out-of-competition drug test while at the Adelaide 36ers last season. He did not record any positive tests for performance-enhancing substances.
Harrell was signed with Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rico when he was informed of his ban, with the club releasing him just before the playoffs.
“So let me get this straight NBL, not trying to throw no one under the bus but the facts are facts,” Harrell wrote in response to Cooks’ ban on X.
“His first offence was cocaine, he gets a month out of season and a class to take. He smoked weed in season this time and he gets a month.
“Dead ass help me understand it, really help me. Buddy has done coke and weed, caught both times and you give him a total of two months, and he misses no playing (time). All while you guys have insisted that I serve a worldwide ban from every league under WADA.”
Harrell’s failure to submit a sample falls under a world doping category that typically has a harsher starting sanction. Cooks falls under recreational drug use breaches which typically issues a lesser ban than performance-enhancing drugs.
Second offences typically see a larger ban given, but there is an exception for cases under the substance of abuse provisions, which Cooks also falls under.
Harrell added on Instagram: “If y’all didn’t want me to come back, you could of just said that. But to throw dirt on my name and then keep letting shit like this be OK?
“NBL, Adelaide 36ers, do better.”
Harrell will not be eligible to play in any competition again until January 2027.
Cooks, a one-time NBL MVP winner, apologised to his teammates and Kings fans for his actions in a statement through on Tuesday afternoon.
“I want to sincerely apologise to my teammates, our fans, the club, and everyone who has supported me,” Cooks said.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and understand the disappointment and frustration this has caused.”
Mark Thompson, the chief executive of Hoops Capital who own the Sydney franchise, said the club would educate and support Cooks.
“We hold ourselves to strong professional standards,” he said.
“When those standards are not met, we respond appropriately and work to ensure our people receive the support, education and guidance they need – not only through the successes but also the challenges that come with professional sport.
“Xavier has completed his period of ineligibility and is back on court with his teammates as pre-season commences. Our focus is now on supporting him and the team as we prepare for the upcoming season.”
The 30-year-old Ballarat product is a three-time NBL champion and has been one of the league’s most high-profile stars for more than half a decade.
Cooks also played 10 games for the NBA’s Washington Wizards in 2023, before returning to Australia with the Kings.
