Foreign player with CBA champions Shanghai Sharks faces 2-year ban after doping violation
According to reports, any punishment for newly crowned champion’s American centre will not include the team being stripped of their title
Hassan Niam Whiteside, a foreign player for newly crowned CBA champion Shanghai Sharks, faces a potential two-year ban after a doping violation, but the team are expected to retain their title.
According to information released by the China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) on Friday, Whiteside tested positive for the prohibited substances oxandrolone metabolites and clomifene during a 2025-2026 CBA playoff home game against Shandong on May 6. The player waived his right to a B-sample test.
Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) prohibited list, oxandrolone metabolites are classified as class S1 anabolic agents, while clomifene is a class S4 hormone and metabolic modulator.
Following the violation, Whiteside also played in the second game of Shanghai’s quarter-final series against Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin, as well as the entire semi-final series against Beijing Ducks.
Whiteside missed Shanghai’s finals series against Zhejiang Lions. Shanghai ultimately won 4-1 to claim the CBA championship.
Whiteside, 37, played as a centre in the NBA from 2010 to 2022 for the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz, as well as for Lebanese and Puerto Rican teams. He joined Shanghai last year.
