76ERS' ROBERTS IS EXPELLED FROM NBA

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Stanley Roberts says he doesn't know how the drugs got
into his body. All the NBA knows is that Roberts is no longer in the league.

Roberts, a backup center for the Philadelphia 76ers, was kicked out of the
NBA on Wednesday after testing positive for a prohibited drug in the first
expulsion under the league's tougher drug policy.

Roberts, a 7-foot center who was recently placed on the injured list,
tested positive for an "amphetamine-based designer drug," the NBA said in a
three-paragraph statement. A positive test calls for immediate expulsion,
the league said.

Roberts, 29, was not at the First Union Center on Wednesday night before
the Sixers' game against the Washington Wizards. He told KRIV-TV in Houston
that he intends to challenge the decision legally and is considering
playing overseas in the meantime.

"All I know is that I never took a designer drug and for them to just exile
me without giving me a chance or even re-testing me, that's it. Your career
is over," Roberts said. "You serve 10 years, never flunked a drug test in
your life."

Coach Larry Brown and president Pat Croce expressed their regret.

"It's unfortunate that Stanley would jeopardize his career and possibly his
life because he wanted to take a leisure drug," Croce said. "It bothers me
that we would waste time and effort on rehabilitating him. But the NBA and
the players association are sending a message."

When Philadelphia signed Roberts on Oct. 19, he was not ready to play
because he was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He was placed on
the injured list Monday with a strained lower back.

"I know Stanley, I go way back with him," said Brown, who also coached
Roberts with the Los Angeles Clippers. "My wife goes way back with him. I'm
crushed."

It was the first expulsion under the drug policy that was a big part of the
collective bargaining agreement which ended the lockout in January.
Veterans can be tested once a year - in training camp or within 15 days of
signing with a team. Rookies can be tested up to four times.

Roberts exercised his right to ask for a retest and failed it, NBA
spokesman Chris Brienza said. He can apply for reinstatement in two years.

Roberts said the retest was given with the same sample as the first test.
Roberts wanted a completely new test given.

"There's no means of support we can give to a player when they decide to
screw with their heads," Croce said.

This is the first season NBA players are being tested for drugs other than
cocaine and heroin, which they were tested for previously. Players were
told what substances were forbidden before testing began. The substance
Roberts tested for was on the list.

"It's very clear: These are the banned substances," said Brown, shaking his
head.

It was not clear whether a grievance would be filed, since the drug policy
is administered jointly by the league and the players' association.

Theo Ratliff, the players' association representative for the Sixers, said
he would try to contact Roberts to see if he needed help.

"I want to try to talk to him personally, one-on-one, to see if he wants to
file a grievance or anything like that," Ratliff said.

Roberts signed a $725,000, one-year contract with the Sixers. The contract
is automatically terminated by the expulsion.

Roberts, who played with Shaquille O'Neal at LSU in 1989-90, will be 31
when he can apply for reinstatement. He has a history of injuries,
including two ruptured Achilles' tendons, bone spurs in his ankles, back
surgery and shoulder surgery. He also has a history of weight problems. He
weighed 315 pounds when the Sixers signed him.

Roberts played five games for the 76ers, averaging 10.2 minutes, 2.0 points
and 3.0 rebounds per game.