Allonzo Trier has tested negative for the performance-enhancing drug that resulted in a two-game suspension, and has been reinstated for the rest of the season. The UA announced Thursday afternoon that Trier was able to play against Stanford.
Trier was suspended last week after he tested positive for Ostarine, a non-steroidal agent that mimics the effects of steroids and testosterone. UA officials appealed for his reinstatement by arguing that the Ostarine he took in 2016 had lodged in his system.
Trier flew from Oregon to Salt Lake City for another urine test on Friday and the results were negative, attorney Steve Thompson said, helping his case considerably.
"He's good to go," Thompson said. "The committee looked at that (the second test) and said this was a residual amount from the prior administration in 2016."
Thompson said Trier's positive test was .015 parts per billion, or about six grains of salt in 10 Olympic pools, the lowest amount that could be detected. He said Trier was dehydrated when he took the positive test on Jan. 25, increasing the possibility of detection.
Thompson said an NCAA committee and the UCLA lab director it commissioned discussed the results during the appeal, and concluded that the Ostarine lodged into fatty issues.
Several pharmaceutical experts have told the Star that Ostarine generally leaves the body within a week and that it was conceivable — although unlikely — that the drug would remain in someone's body that long.
Trier said he was unknowingly given Ostarine following an injury he suffered in a car crash during the 2016 offseason. Thompson said it was mixed into a drink that Trier's stepfather gave him.
Trier tested positive for the drug before the 2016-17 season began, and was suspended for the first 19 games of last season before testing clean in mid-January 2017.
Trier played the second half of last season and UA's first 27 games this season before the results of the random test taken on Jan. 25 came back positive.
In a short statement on Trier, Arizona's athletic department said: "We appreciate the NCAA granting this appeal and their understanding of this unique situation."
Arizona also said freshman forward Ira Lee would not play against Stanford because of a concussion he suffered in practice on Feb. 20. Lee did not make the Wildcats' trip to Oregon last week and has not taken part in contact practice drills this week.
