In preparation for the NBA restart in July, the league began its first wave of coronavirus testing and 16 of 302 players tested positive. The 5.3 percent of players testing positive was expected according to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

The 16 players that did test positive were all in good health. None of the 16 showed any symptoms and none were seriously ill. All 16 players must now follow public health protocols which include self-isolation. The players must be cleared by a physician before returning to play.

The names of the players that did test positive were not released, but a handful of players did acknowledge publicly that they were among the 16. Sacramento teammates Jabari Parker and Alex Len tested positive as did Indiana’s Malcolm Brogdon. They will all quarantine before returning to their teams.

The NBA season is set to restart on July 30 in Orlando and the Walt Disney World Resort. Teams may begin arriving on site on July 7. All teams will run a three-week training camp from July 9 through July 29. Teams will each get three scrimmages during the training camp period.

Currently, players are allowed to workout voluntarily at their team’s practice facilities. Teams are now required to test any players involved in voluntary workouts. Players must be tested every other day.

Teams may begin mandatory workouts on July 1 at their home practice facilities in preparation for training camp. Testing will continue and the NBA is committed to playing the remainder of the 2019-20 season while also committed to the health and well-being of its players, coaches, and staff members.

Silver, NBPA executive director Michele Paul, and NBPA president Chris Paul remain optimistic. They all expected a certain number of positive tests and were relieved the number was not higher. Staffers and other members of team travel parties were tested as well, but those numbers were not made public. 

Rick Bouch