Suspended Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug and said he won’t play again until the drug completely leaves his body.
In a UA statement issued Wednesday night, Trier said he was “shocked” that he tested positive for a trace amount of a banned PED in a random NCAA drug test earlier this season. 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.
“I have never knowingly taken a banned substance,” Trier said in his statement. “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.”
Trier also thanked his family, coaches, teammates, attorney and athletic department, but said he wouldn’t comment further.
There was no comment in the statement from UA coach Sean Miller or UA AD Greg Byrne, both of whom have declined to comment about Trier’s status since speculation of a positive drug test surfaced in the preseason.
However, Miller recently has publicly indicated signs of frustration.
Miller told the College Hoops Podcast on Monday that Trier’s case is a “once in a lifetime” circumstance and later told local reporters he was “ambivalent” about Trier’s chances of playing this season. Trier has missed all 18 of UA’s regular-season games and also did not play in the Wildcats’ two exhibition games, though he has practiced with the team.
“I don’t have control of the situation,” Miller said. “So when you’re dealing with a crisis or adversity, and we’ve had plenty here over the least nine months, you finally settle into what can you really control. …
“He does what he’s supposed to. He practices hard every day. He’s in great physical condition but he’s not allowed to play and it’s not my choice. And it’s just one of those situations that I wish was different but it’s not.”
Not only has Trier been practicing all season, but Miller said Trier was cleared by the NCAA to begin traveling for the Wildcats’ Dec. 3 game with Gonzaga in Los Angeles. It is unclear if that change occurred after Trier conditionally won his appeal, though Miller said at the time it represented nothing.
“The only good sign is when he walks out there and plays,” Miller said.
