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Silver Ferns LIVE from 7.30pmCotton: 36ers 'in the dark' over Harrell future amid doping saga
SEN • September 24th, 2025 11:41 am
Adelaide 36ers star Bryce Cotton said he and his teammates remain “in the dark” about marquee recruit Montrezl Harrell’s future with reports suggesting he will part ways with the club over an alleged doping violation.
Last weekend, Harrell was left out of the 36ers team that faced Euro giant Panathinaikos amid confusion over a failed drug test dating back to his stint with Chinese club Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
It leaves his future with the club under a dark cloud with no certainty he will be free to suit up at all this season, let alone to face the Bullets this weekend.
With the club and Basketball Australia going to ground on the issue, Cotton was asked for his take on what comes next during his weekly appearance on SEN SA Breakfast.
“I can’t really talk too much about what happened because I don’t have all the information because it’s all happened very fast,” Cotton said.
“We have to find a player that can match what Trez brought to us. It opens opportunity for Ice (Isaac Humphries), it’s a next man up mentality.
“It’s very unfortunate what’s happened and it’s out of our control.
“We have to focus on the game we have coming this week and build on the bench mark we set in Sydney.”
Asked if he understood which regulations Harrell faced being sanctioned by, Cotton added: “I actually am not sure, I don’t know the rules.
“All the higher ups are figuring that stuff out. It was all news to us; we’re still in the dark about it.
“In light of this situation, this is stuff I’m learning about now.”
If Harrell’s time at the 36ers does come to a premature end it means the side will have two open import spots available on their roster – a less than ideal situation given the season is underway.
“It’s about seeing how we can pull a rabbit out of a hat in a quick time,” Cotton said. “I would assume they have to come from America, outside of that I have no idea.
“There are so many sliding door moments right now. The NBA is going to start making some cuts, so that’s a good window to catch some heavy talent. This is a very tricky window.”
With the 36ers and BA quiet on the Harrell situation, the superstar took to social media this week to shed some light on the situation and essentially confirm that his time here is up.
“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!” he tweeted on Monday night.
"And the funny thing is, it’s not China that’s stopping me from playing it’s the Australian sports committee lol! So koo I understand sign I know when I’m not wanted."
