76ers' Arnett Moultrie suspended for violating anti-drug program

ATLANTA – The NBA has suspended 76ers reserve forward Arnett Moultrie five games without pay for violating the league's and NBA Players Association's anti-drug policy.

The suspension begins with Monday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. He won't be eligible to return April 11 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pounder will not be able to compete for the Delaware 87ers, the Sixers NBA Development League affiliate, during the suspension. The second-year player out of Mississippi State was sent down to the Sevens on March 15. This is his second stint of the season with the D-League team.

He is averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and one steal in a total of eight games during his two stints with the Sevens.  Moultrie averaged three points, 2.9 rebounds and 15.6 minutes in his 12 appearances with the Sixers.

He was unable to practice until late December after preseason ankle surgery. Moultrie played in his first game on Feb. 9.

Contact and follow Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers