13 things you probably don't know about Allonzo Trier, who is returning for his junior year
- Updated
There's more to "Zo" than you might think.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
If there's one thing that we all know about Allonzo Trier, it's that he can score.
He averaged 14.8 points per game as a UA freshman and 17.2 points per game as a sophomore following his return from a PED suspension.
But there are things you don't know about the Arizona Wildcats' talented, top-notch scorer. Here's a look at all the things that make Allonzo, Allonzo.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Let's start with the basics. Allonzo Trier, known as "Zo" by those close to him, is a 6-foot-5-inch, 205-pound sophomore.
He was born in Seattle, Washington.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Zo was born on Jan. 17, 1996, making him 21 years old.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
As a single mother with an active first-grader, Marcie Trier found the challenges of grad school weren't just about the books.
Desperate for daycare help, and without much money to fund it, she asked a Seattle Rotary club coach if he would just let Zo sit around and watch basketball in a safe environment.
Daryll Hennings, the Seattle Rotary director, agreed. But the plan didn't last long because Zo wasn't about to sit still for long.
"He watched for a little while, but he was itching so bad to get out there, we let him get out there," Hennings said. "He soaked it all in. He was really intense about it. You could just tell."
By the second grade, Zo was playing on a Rotary youth team full of mostly older boys. That's when Hennings knew that this 7-year-old not only had a passion but a talent.
"We put him in the league and he just burst right away," Hennings said. "At every age group, he was probably the best player on the floor."
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Zo was thrust into the national spotlight at age 13.
His heroics with those young Seattle Rotary teams led to all sorts of attention from travel-ball teams, college coaches, recruiting analysts and even The New York Times Magazine.
The magazine featured Trier in its March 19, 2009 issue. Under a picture of Trier cradling basketballs that appeared nearly a quarter of his size was the headline: "He's 13."
The 8,000-word story, which portrayed Trier as a symbol of the consuming world of high-level youth basketball, detailed his intense passion and work habits.
Trier was OK with the publicity, and the distractions that came with it. He said the Times article and all the attention he's received since then has made him "well-prepared for whatever gets thrown at me."
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Basketball has always come naturally to Trier. Off the court, however, Trier has faced numerous challenges.
He was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, and was held back in school for a year — that's why he's a 21-year-old sophomore at Arizona. He recalls school being difficult because he felt like he wasn't smart.
That didn't stop Trier from chasing his dreams — and it certainly didn't stop his mother from supporting him in everything he did.
When Zo was in the eighth grade, he and his mother moved to Oklahoma so he could play for a favorite travel-ball club. Marcie home-schooled Zo during his time there.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Triers didn't plan to stay in Oklahoma long. Even while living there, mother and son owned phones with Seattle's 206 area code.
They proudly consider Washington their home state.
"Allonzo went to the (University of) Washington camp in fourth grade. Zo was born at the University of Washington. We are truly bred for Seattle," Marcie said. But "when he was invited to play with the Nike EYBL team we just felt it was a great opportunity. He (became) an EYBL veteran. You could say the move to Oklahoma was worth it because of that."
While Trier jumped quickly to Athletes First's elite team, learning under older players, his stock began to fall with recruiting analysts. As a homeschooler, he played for a low-profile association of home-schooled kids, on two different teams.
That generated red flags.
But Zo grew from the experience anyway, his mother said.
"He wasn't on the main circuit, but that was a benefit to him because he played a national homeschool schedule and he was double- and triple-teamed," Marcie said.
"That helped him tremendously. The media wasn't there to write about it but for us he got everything he needed."
He re-appeared on the high-profile scene with Montrose his junior year of high school.
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Zo and his mom moved again — this time to Maryland — so he could attend Montrose Christian for his junior year of high school.
As a junior, Trier averaged 24.9 points, 4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 steals and led his team to a National Christian Schools Athletic Association Division I championship. He was also selected as the 2014 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and was a first-team Washington Post All-Met selection as well.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Zo and Marcie moved again after his junior season in hopes of getting more exposure. The next school: Henderson, Nevada's Findlay Prep, a team that is typically loaded with Division I prospects.
Zo shined there, too, averaging 26.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He was named to the 2015 USA Today All-USA second team.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Trier's senior success led to more accolades.
He played in the 2015 McDonald's All-American Game at the United Center in Chicago.
Trier finished with a team-high 17 points and four rebounds to lead his West team in a 111-91 loss to the East.
"I just go out there and do what I do," Trier said after the game. "I go out there and make plays off the bounce, knock down shots. You see the versatility."
Trier then went on to play in the Jordan Brand Classic, the last stop on the high school all-star circuit. Trier scored 28 points in the West's 118-116 victory, and was named his team's MVP.
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Not only did Zo thrive in the national spotlight, he also succeeded in international competition.
Trier was part of the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 team that won a gold medal. He averaged 12.6 points per game for his coach, Arizona's Sean Miller.
A year later, Trier was part of the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship team, also coached by Miller. The team won gold that year as well, and Trier averaged 8.7 points per game.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
As a freshman, Trier led the Wildcats with 14.8 points per game despite missing seven games with a broken hand. His scoring ability was on display the whole season: He scored at least 20 points in eight games his first year. Against Fresno State, he dropped 27 points, the most by a UA freshman since Derrick Williams had 28 against UNLV in 2009.
He also ranks in the top 10 in UA history among freshmen in the following categories:
• 10th in points per game with 14.8
• Tied for 9th in 3-pointers made with 40
• 8th in free throws made with 115
• 8th in free-throw percentage at 79.3 percent
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Between his broken hand as a freshman and his PED suspension at the beginning of his sophomore season, Trier has missed a total of 26 college games.
Despite missing all of that time, Zo is still a fan favorite. He received a standing ovation during his first game back at McKale Center after his suspension.
Trier's past struggles and work ethic make him one of the more compelling basketball players to suit up for the Wildcats.
And the fact that he's returning for his junior season will certainly cement his place as one of the more memorable Wildcats of the Sean Miller era.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
If there's one thing that we all know about Allonzo Trier, it's that he can score.
He averaged 14.8 points per game as a UA freshman and 17.2 points per game as a sophomore following his return from a PED suspension.
But there are things you don't know about the Arizona Wildcats' talented, top-notch scorer. Here's a look at all the things that make Allonzo, Allonzo.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
As a single mother with an active first-grader, Marcie Trier found the challenges of grad school weren't just about the books.
Desperate for daycare help, and without much money to fund it, she asked a Seattle Rotary club coach if he would just let Zo sit around and watch basketball in a safe environment.
Daryll Hennings, the Seattle Rotary director, agreed. But the plan didn't last long because Zo wasn't about to sit still for long.
"He watched for a little while, but he was itching so bad to get out there, we let him get out there," Hennings said. "He soaked it all in. He was really intense about it. You could just tell."
By the second grade, Zo was playing on a Rotary youth team full of mostly older boys. That's when Hennings knew that this 7-year-old not only had a passion but a talent.
"We put him in the league and he just burst right away," Hennings said. "At every age group, he was probably the best player on the floor."
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Zo was thrust into the national spotlight at age 13.
His heroics with those young Seattle Rotary teams led to all sorts of attention from travel-ball teams, college coaches, recruiting analysts and even The New York Times Magazine.
The magazine featured Trier in its March 19, 2009 issue. Under a picture of Trier cradling basketballs that appeared nearly a quarter of his size was the headline: "He's 13."
The 8,000-word story, which portrayed Trier as a symbol of the consuming world of high-level youth basketball, detailed his intense passion and work habits.
Trier was OK with the publicity, and the distractions that came with it. He said the Times article and all the attention he's received since then has made him "well-prepared for whatever gets thrown at me."
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Basketball has always come naturally to Trier. Off the court, however, Trier has faced numerous challenges.
He was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, and was held back in school for a year — that's why he's a 21-year-old sophomore at Arizona. He recalls school being difficult because he felt like he wasn't smart.
That didn't stop Trier from chasing his dreams — and it certainly didn't stop his mother from supporting him in everything he did.
When Zo was in the eighth grade, he and his mother moved to Oklahoma so he could play for a favorite travel-ball club. Marcie home-schooled Zo during his time there.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
The Triers didn't plan to stay in Oklahoma long. Even while living there, mother and son owned phones with Seattle's 206 area code.
They proudly consider Washington their home state.
"Allonzo went to the (University of) Washington camp in fourth grade. Zo was born at the University of Washington. We are truly bred for Seattle," Marcie said. But "when he was invited to play with the Nike EYBL team we just felt it was a great opportunity. He (became) an EYBL veteran. You could say the move to Oklahoma was worth it because of that."
While Trier jumped quickly to Athletes First's elite team, learning under older players, his stock began to fall with recruiting analysts. As a homeschooler, he played for a low-profile association of home-schooled kids, on two different teams.
That generated red flags.
But Zo grew from the experience anyway, his mother said.
"He wasn't on the main circuit, but that was a benefit to him because he played a national homeschool schedule and he was double- and triple-teamed," Marcie said.
"That helped him tremendously. The media wasn't there to write about it but for us he got everything he needed."
He re-appeared on the high-profile scene with Montrose his junior year of high school.
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Zo and his mom moved again — this time to Maryland — so he could attend Montrose Christian for his junior year of high school.
As a junior, Trier averaged 24.9 points, 4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 steals and led his team to a National Christian Schools Athletic Association Division I championship. He was also selected as the 2014 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and was a first-team Washington Post All-Met selection as well.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Zo and Marcie moved again after his junior season in hopes of getting more exposure. The next school: Henderson, Nevada's Findlay Prep, a team that is typically loaded with Division I prospects.
Zo shined there, too, averaging 26.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He was named to the 2015 USA Today All-USA second team.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Trier's senior success led to more accolades.
He played in the 2015 McDonald's All-American Game at the United Center in Chicago.
Trier finished with a team-high 17 points and four rebounds to lead his West team in a 111-91 loss to the East.
"I just go out there and do what I do," Trier said after the game. "I go out there and make plays off the bounce, knock down shots. You see the versatility."
Trier then went on to play in the Jordan Brand Classic, the last stop on the high school all-star circuit. Trier scored 28 points in the West's 118-116 victory, and was named his team's MVP.
— Bruce Pascoe
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Not only did Zo thrive in the national spotlight, he also succeeded in international competition.
Trier was part of the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 team that won a gold medal. He averaged 12.6 points per game for his coach, Arizona's Sean Miller.
A year later, Trier was part of the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship team, also coached by Miller. The team won gold that year as well, and Trier averaged 8.7 points per game.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
As a freshman, Trier led the Wildcats with 14.8 points per game despite missing seven games with a broken hand. His scoring ability was on display the whole season: He scored at least 20 points in eight games his first year. Against Fresno State, he dropped 27 points, the most by a UA freshman since Derrick Williams had 28 against UNLV in 2009.
He also ranks in the top 10 in UA history among freshmen in the following categories:
• 10th in points per game with 14.8
• Tied for 9th in 3-pointers made with 40
• 8th in free throws made with 115
• 8th in free-throw percentage at 79.3 percent
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Between his broken hand as a freshman and his PED suspension at the beginning of his sophomore season, Trier has missed a total of 26 college games.
Despite missing all of that time, Zo is still a fan favorite. He received a standing ovation during his first game back at McKale Center after his suspension.
Trier's past struggles and work ethic make him one of the more compelling basketball players to suit up for the Wildcats.
And the fact that he's returning for his junior season will certainly cement his place as one of the more memorable Wildcats of the Sean Miller era.
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