LOS ANGELES — Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier will make his return from a PED-related suspension just in time for the Wildcats’ biggest game of the season Saturday at UCLA.
The NCAA notified the school Friday afternoon that Trier’s most recent drug test came back negative, meaning he is able to return to the court immediately.
The UA confirmed his return with an email statement to the Star. It read: "The NCAA notified us on Friday afternoon that Allonzo Trier’s most recent drug test was negative. Therefore, he is eligible to return to the court immediately and will be available for our game against UCLA."
Trier’s return means the Wildcats have nine active scholarship players — and an experienced go-to scorer — available for their game against the third-ranked Bruins and beyond. The Wildcats are 17-2 and ranked No. 14 in the Associated Press Top 25.
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Trier missed a total of 19 games, totaling 61.3 percent of the Wildcats’ regular season, after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Trier issued a statement Wednesday saying he was given the drug after suffering an injury. However, Trier did not name the drug or the circumstances in which he took it.
“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.”
However, Trier’s statement added that he would not be allowed to resume playing in games until the substance completely left his body, and that he wasn’t sure when that would be. The Pac-12 Networks Lewis Johnson said on Thursday’s UA-USC broadcast that Trier was getting tested every 7-10 days but wouldn’t be tested again until next week.
While UA and the NCAA have declined comment since speculation first surfaced in early October that Trier had tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, UA coach Sean 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.”
Trier has 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. Miller said at the time that change in status represented nothing.
“The only good sign is when he walks out there and plays,” Miller said.
On Saturday, at Pauley Pavilion, Trier will be walking out there and playing.
