Crosscourt column: Adelaide’s Montrezl Harrell weighs up future following China drug bombshell

CODE Sports has learned Adelaide was only alerted to Harrell’s pending suspension last week after it emerged he had not served any time for a doping violation in China.

It remains unclear as to why Harrell was able to play in Puerto Rico during the off-season but a source said that would now likely force him to serve any suspension for the July cannabis violation during this NBL season.

A source close to Harrell told CODE Sports even the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year was blindsided by the news.

Unconfirmed reports emerged yesterday that Adelaide was set to part ways with Harrell and it’s understood concerns around the China Anti-Doping Agency, which is handling his case, has forced the club, NBL and Basketball Australia to go to ground on the issue.

That’s led to a bizarre situation where Harrell, himself, has taken to social media to essentially confirm he won’t play for the Sixers – but the club won’t confirm or deny.

“Much love for all the Australian fans man I truly appreciate and love the support and energy yall gave to me! Made me fall in love with hoops again last year in a dark time! Will always be grateful for that!” Harrell tweeted on Monday night.

Harrell took to X on Tuesday afternoon to claim it isn’t China holding him back from playing in Australia post his positive drug test.

A source said Harrell was shattered by the situation.

“Trez is not even sure what’s happening,” a source said.

“He’s talked about retiring.

“He loved Australia and his whole plan was to come back and have a big season here.”

It comes as Adelaide’s senior officials and players are set to meet with Harrell. The team arrived back from Sydney on Monday afternoon following Sunday’s EuroLeague games and haven’t had a chance to talk to their teammate.

CODE Sports understands Adelaide has had to consider making the difficult decision to part ways with their box office superstar, given he could miss up to three months or more of the season.

But there’s a sense within the club that if Harrell were to depart, while not ideal, it isn’t all doom and gloom.

While the former NBA man is a massive drawcard and an elite talent, he has at times been a volatile character.

His on-court fit with fellow big men Isaac Humphries and Zylan Cheatham was always going to be a work in progress, given the duplication of skills.

The Sixers are still stacked with top end talent in the mercurial Bryce Cotton, sharpshooter DJ Vasiljevic and those two aforementioned elite bigs.

Now, they have a chance to go to the import market and find a player with a skillset that better fits that quartet.

Add Cotton’s naturalisation and they will actually have two import spots to fill, one who would temporarily take the roster spot of young big Ben Griscti as he continues a long recovery process from a broken neck, suffered at AIS Arena in Canberra when the basketball stanchion collapsed onto him.

The Sixers are privately concerned about ball-handling and would more than likely seek a point guard to play alongside Cotton – and ensure their superstar isn’t forced into bringing the ball up consistently against NBL defences that are set to pick up full court more than ever in NBL26.

This provides an opportunity to address that.

The Sixers had considered a three-and-D wing-type who could shift up to the four if needed but they will now more likely need to pivot to a big, given Humphries and Cheatham are the only players on the roster capable of playing the five.

EUROLEAGUE IS HERE TO STAY 

The NBL’s historic partnership with EuroLeague heavyweights Panathinaikos and Partizan is set to become an annual event with both clubs “blown away” by the professionalism and hospitality on display in Australia.

And in a further boost, it is rumoured an NBL team could be invited to play in Partizan’s traditional open-air game in Belgrade next year.

It follows a successful maiden year of the Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament in Melbourne and Sydney last week – the first time the event has been held outside of Europe.

NBL Director Nikola Milivojevic is excited to continue the respected relationship with heavyweights Panathinaikos and Partizan.

“It was always about creating something that hasn’t been done before – a history making event,” Milivojevic said.

“What happens in the Euro basketball is things don’t just happen once if everything goes well.

“You see their historical partnerships like Panathinaikos and Partizan and it is because they create a special bond.

“Both clubs enjoyed their time in Australia and they want to continue building their brands in our market, plus they received a benefit playing against our NBL teams.”

Panathinaikos and Partizan also attracted significant eyeballs via social media, showcasing the global popularity of the clubs.

The tournament generated over 37 million video views, reaching more than 282 million fans and driving 57 million engagements across social media.

Partizan president Ostoja Mijailović had 3.2 million views on his personal page alone.

KINGS KEEP AN EYE ON BIG MAN MARKET

The cousin of former Australian NBA star Thon Maker has emerged on the Sydney Kings’ radar as a potential centre option.

Code Sports understands Makur Maker – who won a championship with the Kings in NBL22 and is currently playing in Saudi Arabia – has caught the eye of officials desperate to add big man depth to the roster.

Sydney still want to sign another local big after losing Keli Leaupepe (ACL) and Jason Spurgin (foot) to season-ending injuries.

The Kings have signed former Norths Bears NBL1 star Hunter Goodrick as Leaupepe’s injury replacement, but the club is keen to add more frontcourt depth.

It’s understood Sydney won’t rush into signing another player – and could wait until mid-season – but they are currently surveying the market for options.

RANDALL’S SUPERCOACH SELECTIONS

They say variety might be the spice of life, but they obviously never played NBL SuperCoach with only two teams on the double.

I haven’t messed around trying to take a swing at a star on a single in the hope they have a monster - all six of my guys get two cracks at it this round.

With just Brisbane and Cairns on the double I’ve zeroed in on the top-end talent at the Bullets and rounded out with a pair of underpriced Taipans.

Centre

Tyrell Harrison, BNE, $306,400 – Captain

At least one NBL coach believes the massive Kiwi is the best centre in the league and on one game, it’s hard to argue. Had the highest-scoring individual game in round 1 and faces to opponents lacking in centre depth.

Forwards

Casey Prather, BNE, $351,400 – Vice-captain

Picked up where he left off last season, pouring in an opening round-high 27 points on the Breakers and remains the Bullets’ go-to guy. Would not be surprised if he matched or eclipsed that standard in both games this round.

S. McDaniel, BNE, $166,400

Role player who just quietly gets the job done at both ends of the floor. Look for a steady dose of threes, steals and boards to keep Smac’s numbers ticking over.

Guards

Javon Freeman-Liberty, BNE, $277,000

Already had a contender for dunk of the year and block of the year and we’re only one game in. The stats matched the highlights for the former NBA G League standout, who gets matchups against the depleted Taipans and an Adelaide squad with no obvious match up for him.

Kody Stattmann, CNS, $70,400

The hunt for value lands on a fourth-year journeyman who has been tasked with more responsibility in Cairns this season. Stattmann is a great athlete and should continue to outperform his minimum price tag.

More Coverage

Harrell hints at NBL exit as 36ers remain silent over drug saga

Matt Logue and Michael Randall

NBL crystal ball: Champions, MVP and rising star verdicts

Code Sports’ NBL experts

6th Man

Marcus Lee, CNS, $203,600

Double-double in the season-opener despite a 37-point annihilation at the hands of South East Melbourne. Only healthy recognised centre on the Taipans’ roster should get as many minutes as foul trouble will allow him.