Otago Nuggets Nat Connell and Steve Robinson have until Friday to request that Drug Free Sport New Zealand test their B sample.
The pair returned positive tests for cannabis following the Nuggets' home match against the Taranaki Dynamos on March 28.
Basketball New Zealand became aware of the positive tests last week and asked that the players be provisionally suspended until after a hearing.
If the players dispute that they have committed an antidoping violation it is up to Drug Free Sport New Zealand to present the case to the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand, which would then adjudicate.
Drug Free Sport New Zealand chief executive Graeme Steel refused to comment on specific cases but said the ball, so to speak, was in the player's court.
‘‘They [athletes] have the opportunity to request the B sample be analysed or to waive that right.
Once the B sample has been analysed, or they have waived that right, we would then review our processes and determine whether to take the matter forward to the tribunal.''
Athletes have five working days from the time they are notified to request that their B sample is tested.
Last year, Bay Hawks players Clifton Bush and Kareem Johnson appeared before the tribunal after testing positive for cannabis. Bush was suspended for two months and Johnson received a five-week sentence which was suspended provided he took part in a drug education programme.
However, Sports Tribunal of New Zealand registrar Brent Ellis said if a player was found guilty for a second time the body would impose a two-year ban in accordance with Wada codes.
‘‘Most of the anti-doping cases we've had have been cannabis cases. Generally, the tribunal has set a benchmark between one and two months depending on whether there are aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
