Larry Sanders suspended again

— -- Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders has been suspended a minimum of 10 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug program, the league announced Friday.

It is his second suspension for violating the anti-drug program in less than a year. Sanders missed the final five games of the 2013-14 season; the center said he was penalized for using marijuana.

The suspension will begin Monday when the Bucks host the Toronto Raptors, and it will continue until Sanders is in full compliance with the treatment program.

Sanders has not played since Dec. 23, missing time with what the team termed as personal issues.

In 27 games this season, he is averaging 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds.

Speaking before a loss to Phoenix on Jan. 6, Sanders didn't go into detail about the reason behind his absence.

"Without these things being corrected, I don't think basketball will be something I can even do," he said then.

He said it was false to speculate he might walk off the court for good.

"But what is true," he said, "is that I'm in the process of working things out now to do as best for my psyche and my physical health going forward. There's a lot of evaluating going on. There's a lot of inside talk just to put myself in the best place for my health right now."

Sanders was taken with the 15th overall pick by Milwaukee in the 2010 draft. He missed 27 games last season with a fracture near his eye. He was also sidelined 25 games after surgery on his right thumb following an injury from a bar fight.

Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.