THE SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Monday (31 Mar 2025) that it has received a “notice of an adverse analytical finding” from FIBA (International Basketball Federation) regarding Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized player, Justin Brownlee.

Despite this development, the country’s governing basketball body emphasized that FIBA has yet to issue an official decision on the 36-year-old Brownlee’s status.

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is aware that Gilas Pilipinas player Justin Brownlee has received notice of an adverse analytical finding. Brownlee is currently addressing the situation with the assistance of his US-based lawyers,” the SBP stated in an official post on its Facebook page.

“The SBP wishes to clarify that FIBA has not issued any official ruling as of this date.”

The SBP’s statement follows a report first published by online sports site Spin.ph on Sunday, which claimed that Brownlee had “tested positive for a banned substance again.”

Brownlee initially failed a random drug test following Gilas Pilipinas’ victory over Jordan in the 2023 Asian Games men’s basketball final in Hangzhou, China. That test result led to a three-month suspension.

A six-time PBA champion, Brownlee has had a demanding basketball schedule. He guided Pelita Jaya to the Indonesian Basketball League championship last year and later helped Ginebra secure a runner-up finish in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.

He also played a crucial role in Gilas Pilipinas’ victories over Hong Kong and New Zealand in November during the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

Brownlee’s most recent appearance for Gilas came in February, when the national team suffered away losses to Taiwan and New Zealand.