Arizona Wildcats' Allonzo Trier ruled ineligible by NCAA
The NCAA ruled Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier ineligible Thursday after he tested positive again for trace amounts of Ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing drug, near the end of last month.
The star junior had been tested multiple times since returning from last year's suspension as a result of a positive test for the same PED, according to Trier's attorney Steve Thompson via Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports.
Trier originally tested positive in September 2016 after he inadvertently ingested Ostarine in a drink his stepfather had made, Thompson said.
"The NCAA's intransigence on this issue is mind-boggling," Thompson said. "Allonzo has never been a drug-cheat, and the NCAA found in 2016 that he never took Ostarine intentionally. The experts tell us Ostarine can be stored in fatty tissues for a long time, and tests can be negative but then later be positive as the substance comes out."
Thompson said the university requested a medical exception from the NCAA so Trier could continue playing, but that it was rejected Thursday before Trier was ruled ineligible.
The UA issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying that a "minuscule" amount of what appeared to be the same banned substance that sidelined Trier last season reappeared in a test taken last month. Trier missed 19 games last season after he tested positive in the preseason, and wasn't cleared until testing clear of the unnamed substance in mid-January.
"The results of that test, confirmed today, revealed the reappearance of a trace amount of a banned substance," the UA's statement said. "The amount detected was minuscule by scientific standards and appears to be a remnant of a substance, which the NCAA agreed, Allonzo had unknowingly ingested in 2016. The University is appealing the decision and is hopeful that Allonzo will regain his eligibility soon."
Trier has been one of Arizona's best players as a junior, averaging 19.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He's coming off a 19-point, four-assist game against rival Arizona State.
Deandre Ayton leads the team in scoring with 19.7.
Wildcats players showed their support of Trier by writing "Free Zo" on their shoes for Thursday's game at Oregon State.
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Trier's suspension last season
In a statement issued by Arizona Athletics on Jan. 18, 2017, Trier said he was “shocked” that he tested positive for a trace amount of a banned PED in a random NCAA drug test earlier. He was responding to an ESPN.com report citing unnamed sources that said he won an appeal for a positive PED test but remains unable to play until he tests clean.
Trier said he suffered an injury in the offseason and said the drug was administered as part of his recovery.
Trier's full statement on that date:
"Earlier this season, I was notified that I tested positive for a trace amount of a banned performance-enhancing drug following an NCAA random test and I was shocked. I have never knowingly taken a banned substance. After finding out that I was given a banned substance by a well-intentioned, but misguided person not associated with the University after an injury, I presented this information to the NCAA. The NCAA agreed that I had no knowledge of receiving the substance and my eligibility was restored. Although I can practice and travel with the team, I am not allowed to resume playing in games until the substance completely leaves my body even at a trace amount. Unfortunately, I am unsure of when that time will be, but I hope it is soon."
"I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, my attorney and the athletics department for their support during this difficult time. I will not have any further comment at this time. In addition, I have asked the athletics department to respect my privacy by not answering any questions or releasing any information beyond this statement."
Trier was Arizona's leading scorer last season with 17.2 points per game after being suspended for the first 19 games of the season over that positive PED test.
The NCAA ruled then that Trier would be eligible to play again once he passed a drug test. Trier was tested every 7-10 days during that time.
It's unclear whether the NCAA's same standards would apply following Trier's latest missed test.
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Allonzo Trier's career stats
- 2017-2018: (27 games) 19.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists
- 2016-2017: (18 games) 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists
- 2015-2016: (27 games) 14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Trier's NBA draft status
One recent NBA mock draft has Trier sneaking into the first round, but many other recent first round NBA draft projections don't have him listed.
A few second round NBA mock drafts do have him being selected. Here are some of the latest projections for the Arizona basketball standout in the 2018 NBA draft:
- draftsite.com: Trier lands with Cavaliers at No. 25
- nbadraft.net: Trier picked by 76ers at No. 42
- tankathon.com: Trier lands with Pistons at No. 43
- nbadraftroom.com: Trier selected by Suns at No. 41
Return to sports.azcentral.com for more updates.
The Arizona Daily Star contributed to this report.
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