The Adelaide 36ers and Montrezl Harrell’s season has come to an abrupt halt after revelations team is preparing to part ways with the former NBA star.

Harrell – a five hundred game, eight-year NBA veteran – has spent the last several months dealing with the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) in relation to a doping violation during his time playing in China.

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What led to this dramatic situation? We will have to rewind back to March of this year where Harell was playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the CBA.

On the 13th of March, Montrezl Harrell signed with the Flying Tigers, replacing former Cairns Taipans import Rob Edwards.

In his short time with the team, he played thirteen games, including playoffs, averaging 17.4 MPG | 11.6 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 1.9 APG.

On April 15th, Harrell and another player, Troy Gollenwater, were subjected to random mandatory drug tests handed out by the league’s Anti-Doping Center.

Harrell’s last game for the Tigers came on the 18th April after they were knocked out in the playoffs.

Fast forward to May 15th, when Harrell signed with Gigantes de Carolina in the BSN (Puerto Rico), joining Perth Wildcats import Krisitan Doolittle.

Two weeks later, Harrell re-signed with the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL – which was deemed an exciting return to most, due to Montrez’s loud, energetic character.

The problem? Up until this point the information about the failed drug-test was not public.

On the June 24 the China Anti-Doping Agency (CADA) released this information to the public, which was first reported by Hupu News.

It was found that both players had committed doping violations, testing positive for carboxy-THC. Carboxy-THC is found in cannabis.

“The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) attaches great importance to this matter and is actively cooperating with the China Anti-Doping Agency (CADA) in its investigation,” the CBA said in a statement.

“We are also aware that the athletes involved have the right to request a hearing. Therefore, after the CADA makes its final determination, the CBA will strictly follow the anti-doping rules and other relevant regulations to handle the offending party.”

Montrezl Harrell and the 36ers look set to part waysSource: Getty Images

Now the Adelaide 36ers find themselves with potentially one import less leading up to their season-opener against the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday afternoon.

Harrell will depart the club having played a total of 28 games across the NBL25 season, where he averaged 20.5 PPG | 9.3 RPG | 1.1 BPG and a spot on the All-NBL Second Team.

The question is now being asked: Who will replace Harrell with such a short amount of time before the season-opener?

The answer, we think, is former South East Melbourne Phoenix import Vren Bleijenbergh, who was released by the club on the September 16. Bleijenbergh found himself having an early audition for the team, replacing Harrell in the club’s exhibition game against Panathinaikos on Sunday.

Bleijenbergh played 15 minutes, scoring 7 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST, shooting 3/4 (75%).

It is too early to suggest that he will be the immediate replacement, but it makes sense for both parties, even in the short-term.

The Adelaide 36ers drama from NBL25 has seemed to have leaked into NBL26.