Former NBA star Montrezl Harrell has had his contract terminated by the Adelaide 36ers after failing a doping test earlier this year in China.
The Australian club announced on Thursday that they had “no option” but to part ways with the American power forward, who built his reputation with the Los Angeles Clippers after being drafted by the Houston Rockets.
Harrell tested positive in April for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), a precursor to THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, while playing for China’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers. The result was made public two months later, after he had already re-signed with Adelaide.
The 30-year-old, who also played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards, is currently under a provisional suspension, awaiting a final ruling from the China Anti-Doping Agency.
“As it stands, Harrell is not permitted to train or play,” the 36ers said in a statement. “With no timeline on when the process will be finalised and no certainty on any sanctions, the club has been left with no option but to terminate Harrell’s contract to allow it to move to finalise the playing roster.”
Australia’s National Basketball League tipped off its new season last week.
What you should know
Montrezl Harrell, once a key NBA contributor and Sixth Man of the Year (2020), now faces an uncertain future in basketball as he awaits a final ruling on his doping case.
The Adelaide 36ers’ decision underscores how clubs are unwilling to take risks on players with unresolved anti-doping violations.
