Wildcats sack popular point-guard

The Perth Wildcats have today announced recently re-signed point guard David Bailey has been sacked after a drug test returned positive.

Rumours, and reports, over the weekend suggested the point-guard had quit the club sighting personal reason, however club owner and former captain Andrew Vlahov today confirmed this was not the case.

"We are very disappointed that this has occurred as David was a popular player," said Vlahov.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) carried out the test, in accordance to the agreement between them and Basketball Australia, towards the end of last season.

ASADA informed Basketball Australia, who administer the National Basketball League (NBL), of the positive result, believed to be cannabis, shortly before Perth and Bailey put pen to paper for a second season.

NBL officials alerted the Wildcats, who have since terminated Bailey’s contract in honouring the clubs’ zero-tolerance policy with drug use.

When asked about the policy, Vlahov said, "We have a zero-tolerance towards drugs in sport and we do not condone drugs at all. I think it's not tough to have a responsibility to the community, and as a role model."

"All players are made fully aware of the NBL and the Wildcats drug policy prior to the commencement of the season."

"If you are going to earn an income from sport and from paying fans, I believe very strongly that there is an obligation coming back the other way that your behaviour and your habits are commensurate with what a role model should be."

Bailey averaged 18 points, six assists and five rebounds per game, during his 36-game solo season with the Wildcats, and became a crowd favourite, filling the void left behind following the retirement of club legend Ricky Grace, for his electrifying style of play after a sluggish start with the club in September last year.

In the final regular season match against the Hunter Pirates, Bailey top scored with 35 points and fired home an equal club record eight three-point shots. He netted 22 of these points in the final quarter.

When asked about the potential replacement, Vlahov said, "The search for a replacement began almost immediately. We've narrowed it down to six possible candidates, and we're in discussions with two of them."

Vlahov added the two candidates were Americans currently playing in the European leagues.

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