BIO: Montrezl Harrell was born in Tarboro, North Carolina (USA). Harrell attended North Edgecombe High School, where he became a dominant force on the court, averaging 16.2 points, 12 rebounds, and 6.7 blocks per game during his senior year. His outstanding performances led North Edgecombe to a 21-3 record and a Tar Roanoke Conference Championship, earning him the conference tournament MVP award.

Seeking greater competition, Harrell spent a prep year at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, where he flourished under an elite basketball program. He led Hargrave to a remarkable 38-1 record, finishing as the national prep runner-up. Throughout the season, he put up impressive numbers, averaging 25.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, and three blocks per game. One of his most memorable performances came in an overtime victory over Fishburne Military School, where he recorded an astonishing 51 points, 18 dunks, 17 rebounds, and six blocks. His dominance on the court earned him recognition from top scouting services, ranking him as one of the top 100 recruits in the nation.

Harrell initially committed to Virginia Tech to play under coach Seth Greenberg, but following Greenberg’s dismissal, he was released from his commitment and reopened his recruitment. After receiving offers from Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Cincinnati, and South Carolina, he ultimately chose to play for the University of Louisville, citing the school’s strong basketball program and home-like atmosphere.

Harrell has always been known for his relentless motor and fierce playing style, but off the court, he has a deep passion for sneaker collecting and customization. He frequently collaborates with designers to bring his unique ideas to life and took full advantage of the NBA’s relaxed footwear rules in 2018 by wearing different shoes in each half of games.

In addition to basketball, Harrell enjoys fishing and spending time with friends and family. His personal goal at Louisville was to receive a good education and become the best basketball player he could be. He credits his father and grandmother as the greatest influences on his athletic career and has always followed the best advice he received: to never give up. His admiration for Coach Rick Pitino stemmed from Pitino’s knowledge both on and off the court. Harrell’s competitive drive and work ethic have shaped him into the player he is today, and he remains proud of the person he has become.

One of the defining moments of his basketball career came when he shattered a backboard during high school practice—a testament to his power and explosiveness. His ability to dominate physically, combined with his relentless energy, made him one of the most exciting prospects coming out of high school.

FAMILY: Harrell comes from a close-knit family and is the son of Samuel and Selena Harrell. He has two younger brothers, Cadarius and Quatavius. His father intentionally added a silent “l” to his first name to make it unique. Outside of basketball, Harrell is known for his strong friendship with NFL running back Todd Gurley, who also hails from Tarboro, North Carolina.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Montrezl Harrell made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 30 years of age. He scored 13 points in his first game.

A major off-season reset saw the Adelaide 36ers part ways with several key pieces. Former captain Mitch McCarron (to New Zealand), exciting prospect Trentyn Flowers (to the NBA), import Jacob Wiley (to Spain), and frontcourt contributors Tohi Smith-Milner (to Brisbane), Kyrin Galloway (to Cairns), Trey Kell III (to Illawarra), and Akech Aliir (to Melbourne) all exited the club before the 2024/25 season began.

To stabilise the roster, Adelaide re-signed core personnel. Star shooting guard Dejan Vasiljevic inked a fresh three-year deal and was named team captain, while Isaac Humphries recommitted on the same terms. Development players Fiston Ipassou and Keanu Rasmussen remained on one-year extensions, and South Australian native Jacob Rigoni re-signed on a two-year agreement with a club option.

The club’s recruitment spree included standout G League guard Kendric Davis on a one-year contract, stretch forward Lat Mayen (via Cairns), rookie Patrick D’Arcy from the NBL1, and UC Riverside product Ben Griscti. Import big man Jarell Martin also joined from Turkey but went down with an injury before the season tipped off. That prompted Adelaide to make one of the most high-profile signings in NBL history, landing former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell as an injury replacement. Harrell signed with the 36ers on September 12 and was upgraded to a full-season contract on October 18.

Harrell made an immediate impact. In his debut on September 22, he tallied 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 102–94 defeat to Sydney. His breakout came on October 25 in a 99–93 overtime win over Cairns, where he exploded for 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks in just under 18 minutes of action. It was one of the most commanding big man performances in recent NBL history, as he attacked the paint with force, dominated the glass, and altered shots at will. Harrell also showcased a surprising outside touch, going a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in that game. The win lifted Adelaide to 5–3 and cemented Harrell as one of the league’s most imposing frontcourt forces.

Adelaide opened the year with two losses before gaining momentum. The mid-season period, however, was defined by turbulence. On November 17, during a fiery clash with Melbourne United, Harrell was involved in a controversial altercation. After being called for an offensive foul, he clashed with United’s Shea Ili, threw multiple open-hand strikes, and then became entangled in a post-incident confrontation with courtside fans. The NBL’s Single Member Tribunal issued a three-game suspension and fined Harrell $3,685. He was cited for two charges of striking, one for engaging in a melee, and one for inappropriate handling of a spectator. This saga placed Harrell at the centre of media scrutiny, with speculation swirling about his future in the league. Nonetheless, he returned after the FIBA break and resumed his key role in Adelaide’s playoff chase.

Harrell’s second half of the season was marked by consistent dominance in the paint. On January 4, he delivered a clinical performance in a 100–81 upset win over second-place Melbourne United, scoring 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting and grabbing 9 boards. His physicality overwhelmed the United frontcourt, and he was central to Adelaide’s 61–35 rebounding edge in that game. Later in the month, on January 26, he added 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks against the New Zealand Breakers. It was one of Harrell’s most complete two-way efforts, with his energy sparking fast breaks and turning defense into offense.

Across the season, Harrell registered 12 double-doubles and provided the emotional heartbeat for the 36ers. His play style—defined by second-chance points, pick-and-roll finishes, and vocal intensity—reinvigorated the team’s frontcourt. Harrell regularly attracted double teams, creating space for shooters like Vasiljevic and opportunities for Davis to penetrate. In the locker room, he was praised by teammates and coaches for his vocal leadership and professionalism following the November suspension, often holding team huddles and lifting morale during key stretches of games.

In the play-in tournament, Harrell was again instrumental. On February 13, he contributed 8 points, a team-high 14 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 95–88 road win over the defending champion Sydney Kings. His playmaking from the high post and sheer rebounding effort were pivotal as Adelaide knocked out the reigning champs. In the final play-in on February 16 against South East Melbourne, Harrell pulled down another 14 rebounds and provided inside presence despite the 36ers falling 75–85. His playoff averages—11 rebounds and 4 assists across both games—demonstrated his value beyond scoring.

Montrezl Harrell (20.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 26 games) reestablished himself as one of the most impactful bigs in global basketball. He shot over 56% from the field and even added a reliable three-point shot to his arsenal (hitting multiple threes in key games). Harrell’s best three outings included his 36-point, 16-rebound, 5-block showing in the October 25 win over Cairns; a 28-point effort in the January 4 victory over Melbourne; and a 26-point, 4-steal game on January 26 against New Zealand. Named to the All-NBL Second Team, Harrell’s season was a masterclass in high-efficiency scoring, rebounding dominance, and emotional leadership. His decision to join Adelaide after rehabbing an ACL injury paid immediate dividends, turning him into the spiritual and physical anchor of the 36ers’ frontcourt and a key figure in their return to the postseason.

Montrezl Harrell currently plays for the Adelaide 36ers and has played 26 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 20.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists since entering the league in 2024.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Adelaide 36ers – 1 Year Deal (2024-25)

Dan Boyce (854 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.