Don MacLean (basketball)

Donald James MacLean (born January 16 1970 in Simi Valley, California) is a former professional basketball player in the NBA.

MacLean, a UCLA graduate, was a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons in 1992, but was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and then to the Washington Bullets. MacLean played with the Bullets for four years, before moving to Denver and then to a series of other teams. MacLean was named the "Most Improved Player" for 1993-94, averaging 18.2 points per game, but his numbers declined a year later, mainly due to numerous injuries, and never recuperated. In 2000 MacLean tested positive to steroids, possibly taken to quicken the healing process from an injury.

MacLean was suspended for 5 games, and retired two years later. His former team-mate with the Phoenix Suns, Charles Barkely, remarked on his drug-related suspension: "I've seen Don MacLean naked, and he doesn't use steroids." His average scoring dropped significantly after that season.

Sources

• www.basketball-reference.com
• NBA Player file
• Drug suspension