Allonzo Trier will return to Arizona for his junior season instead of testing the NBA Draft waters, a source confirmed.
ESPN first reported the news.
Trier failed a test for performance-enhancing drugs back in the preseason, leading to him to getting suspended for Arizona’s first 19 games. He appealed the decision and won the appeal, but the NCAA prohibited him from playing until the drug was completely out of his system. He had been allowed to practice and travel with the team.
After debuting on Jan. 21, the 6-foot-5 Trier averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He had been projected as a second-round pick in 2018 by DraftExpress.com.
“He believes in himself and wants to be a lottery pick,” a source close to him said.
The Wildcats will lose freshman forward Lauri Markkanen and freshmen guards Kobi Simmons to the NBA Draft, but add the No. 3-ranked recruiting class in 2018 according to ESPN.com, led by 7-footer DeAndre Ayton, the No. 2 player in the class.
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