Montrezl Harrell return delayed after drug ban revealed

• Montrezl Harrell has been banned from playing until February after a positive drug test in the CBA
• Harrell had interest from teams in Europe wanting to sign him immediately
• He averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Adelaide 36ers in NBL25

Montrezl Harrell has been banned from playing for three months after testing positive for cannabis in the Chinese Basketball Association in April this year.

Harrell, the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, won't be able to play until early February 2026 after he tested positive on April 15 while playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

Michael Randall from CODE Sports Basketball reports the ban prohibits Harrell from playing in any league which operates under the World Anti-Doping Agency code.

Sources told basketball.com.au Harrell and his management believed the issue had been finalised before he arrived to play his second season in the NBL because the 31-year-old American played in Puerto Rico following his stint in China.

Harrell had a disciplinary hearing with the CBA last month before the three-month penalty was handed out earlier this month because there were supposed communication issues between the CBA, Harrell and his management, which led to further issues and his premature departure from the 36ers.

Harrell, who is back home in Atlanta and still working out in preparation for a return to the court, was believed to be uncertain about whether the ban was just from the CBA or all international competitions.

In a similar case, US import Troy Gillenwater tested positive for the same substance while playing for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the CBA and was banned until January, 2026. However, he is now playing for Fubon Braves in Taiwan, with his most last game on November 9, 2025.

It is a situation Harrell and his camp reportedly wanted sorted out immediately given interest from teams in Europe, particularly in France, sources told basketball.com.au.

The former Louisville Cardinals NCAA standout, who went on to play nine seasons in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers became an immediate fan favourite in Adelaide with his high-energy style and eccentric personality.

He averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds for the 36ers, making his way onto the All-NBL Second Team.

Fans were excited to see Harrell return, especially to team up with five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton but the 36ers parted ways with American in late September.

Harrell will join NBL legend and basketball.com.au's Jason Cadee for an exclusive tell-all on a special edition of 'Cut to the Jase' in the near future.