Just days after receiving a three-month suspension from CHINADA (Chinese Anti-Doping Agency), Montrezl Harrell finds himself facing a new challenge.
Meanwhile, NBL legend Chris Antsey has praised five-time MVP Bryce Cotton for his performance against the Illawarra - a game that will be spoken about for years to come.
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HARRELL’S NBL RETURN THREATENED AMID NEW TWIST IN DOPING SAGA
Just days after Montrezl Harrell learned his fate in China’s doping saga - receiving a three-month suspension from professional basketball — a new report suggests his hopes of returning to the NBL may have hit a major road block.
According to a report by CODE Sports, Harrell’s path back to Australia has stalled, with Sports Integrity Australia (SIA) monitoring the situation involving the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
SIA’s interest stems from an incident during Harrell’s time with the Adelaide 36ers following a training session. Fox Sports Australia understands Harrell was initially hesitant to undergo a routine drug test but was eventually persuaded by the club to comply with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) protocols. However, when the testing official informed him that his initial sample was insufficient, Harrell reportedly left the training facility before providing another.
Because the NBL operates under the WADA framework, refusing or failing to submit a sample can carry a suspension of up to four years - a penalty that would all but end any chance of an NBL comeback for the former 36er.
Days after Harrell received his suspension, his agent Darrell Comer revealed that he hoped to return to the NBL and chase a championship - a dream now in serious jeopardy.
For now, Harrell will serve his current three-month suspension handed down by CHINADA, which began on November 4 and will end on February 4, 2026.
Montrezl Harrel’s dream of NBL return could be in jeopardy.
Montrezl Harrel’s dream of NBL return could be in jeopardy.Source: Getty Images
NBL ICON SAYS COTTON DELIVERED BEST GAME OF HIS CAREER
Two-time NBL MVP Chris Anstey was full of praise on NBL Now, applauding five-time MVP Bryce Cotton after his monstrous performance: 31 points, 12 assists, two rebounds, two steals and zero turnovers – all while battling what coach Mike Wells described as “nausea” throughout the game.
For many, it’s the type of outing that cements Cotton’s legacy as one of the greatest players the league has ever seen. And in a career packed with iconic moments, Anstey believes this one may sit at the very top.
“I marvel at his level of professionalism and his talent,” Anstey said.
“That may be the best game I’ve ever seen Bryce Cotton play, given the circumstances.”
Cotton set a career-high 13 assists and became just the seventh Adelaide 36er ever to reach that mark. His ability to completely control the contest – especially under duress and in a marquee matchup between two MVP contenders – stood out to Anstey.
"This might be non-basketball related" | 00:46
“We really saw the chasm of the level of importance between what Bryce Cotton can do for his team and what JaVale McGee can do for his team when it really really matters.
“There’s no question Bryce Cotton’s the MVP,” Anstey stated.
The story only grew after the game. Speaking to SEN SA on Wednesday morning, Cotton shed light on what he was dealing with. The emotion he showed during the match – at times clearly struggling emotionally – added even more weight to the performance.
“I was dealing with a lot. I was able to channel my energy and focus on staying in the games and giving it all I got,” he told SEN SA.
“Last thing I wanted to do, despite what I was going through, is come out and we end up losing. That would have really bothered me.
If we were going to strike out, I wanted to strike out swinging at least,” Cotton shared.
Across his 271-game, 10-season NBL career, Cotton continues to elevate. Each year he narrows the gap on the widely regarded GOAT, Andrew Gaze – and performances like this only strengthen his case.
This is a game that will be talked about long after he hangs up the sneakers.
Tigers captain Chris Antsey cuts the net after winning their grand final match against the Sydney Kings.
Tigers captain Chris Antsey cuts the net after winning their grand final match against the Sydney Kings.Source: AAP
BULLETS COACH SAYS ‘FELT CONFIDENT’ AGAINST PHOENIX – BUT ADMITS EXECUTION FELL SHORT
The Brisbane Bullets head into the FIBA break at 5-10 after another tough defeat, falling 103-76 to the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday night. The Phoenix closed the game on a dominant 29-15 final quarter, piling on the pressure and stretching the margin late.
Post-game, head coach Stu Lash admitted he felt optimistic going in – but that optimism didn’t translate to performance.
He revealed he was “confident coming into this game” but the group simply “didn’t execute.”
The Bullets struggled across several key areas: they shot just 22% from three, surrendered 14 offensive rebounds and allowed the Phoenix to hit 41% from deep. But Lash highlighted one issue above all.
“Obviously the main one of those was dealing with their ball pressure and taking care of the ball… 23 turnovers for the game… that is the game.
We talked about protecting the ball, not letting their pressure speed us up and we just played right into it,” Lash said.
Injuries and the impending arrival of their new imports have disrupted continuity both on the court and during training sessions.
“We haven’t been able to practice to the level that I’d want to prepare ourselves to play like this level of physicality.”
One of those returning reinforcements is Javon Freeman-Liberty, whose presence the club is eager to have back.
“We’re excited to welcome him back,” Lash said.
“Player wellness comes first and foremost. And, you know, he wasn’t in the type of headspace that he needed to be to be the best version of himself.
I’ve had some really good conversations with him about where he’s at and what some of his goals are for the rest of the season.”
With the FIBA break now underway, Lash sees this period as a chance to reset, integrate new players and refine the team’s structure – even if availability will be limited.
“We have some areas where we need to get better and improve. We’ve got to incorporate some new guys, but there’ll be a challenge there because we have a number of guys not being here.
It’s an opportunity for guys to kind of have a little bit of a reset, maybe get away from basketball for a few days,” he added.
The Bullets face a difficult climb after their slow start, but with reinforcements arriving and time to regroup, the next stretch will reveal whether this group can make a genuine push toward the finals.
Brisbane Bullets Head Coach Stu Lash
Brisbane Bullets Head Coach Stu LashSource: Getty Images