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
