Adelaide 36ers lock in Montrezl Harrell for rest of NBL25 season, Jarell Martin set for injury return

Ex-NBA big man Montrezl Harrell has locked in his future with Adelaide for the rest of the NBL season. Here’s how the 36ers secured a key contract detail to build a triple threat.

Montrezl Harrell has lit up the NBL. Picture: Getty Images

Adelaide played hardball with Montrezl Harrell to ensure he would be in the City of Churches until the end of the season.

Boom Adelaide star Montrezl Harrell is this week set to be unveiled as a 36er until the end of the season.

As revealed by Code Sports on Tuesday, the 30-year-old former NBA Sixth-Man of the Year has signed a new contract that has locked him in until season’s end, opening up the very real possibility of a triple towers set up with fellow big men Isaac Humphries and Jarell Martin.

Harrell arrived in Australia in September with the goal of a quick NBA return and, while there had been a push for an out clause in his contract, sources told Code Sports the Sixers held firm.

It gives the Sixers certainty as they look destined to snap a playoff drought that now dates back to the 2017-18 season when they were beaten in the Grand Final by Melbourne United.

American ex-Pat Alex Starling is the unlucky figure in Harrell’s extension, with Martin’s return slated for Sunday.

Starling, 35 and a former AFL hopeful discovered in the US by premiership coach Paul Roos, was signed by the Sixers as a rookie after obtained his Australian citizenship.

He is well-loved in Adelaide, having forged an elite career in the second-tier NBL1, and the 36ers have vowed to look after him by honouring the full remuneration in his contract.

He has also been offered an ongoing role with the club.

Montrezl Harrell’s extended stay Adelaide has been confirmed. Picture: Getty Images

The club worked feverishly to secure the 201cm dynamo, with urgency ramping up, given fellow ex-NBA big man Martin will return to the court this weekend, forcing a roster change.

In a further massive boost for the 3-3 36ers, the former Sydney Kings NBL champion will suit up against Tasmania on Sunday for his first professional appearance since last December when he wrecked his knee while playing in Turkey.

Martin’s undergone a gruelling rehabilitation program under Sixers’ fitness guru Nik Popovic after suffering a foot injury at the beginning of pre-season and his physical change between the NBL Blitz at the beginning of September and now is stark. He will be on a minutes restriction in his return.

Jarell Martin was in a moon boot in September. Picture: Getty Images

Martin is back in basketball activities and is set to return on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Adelaide will need to cut a local player to accommodate Harrell’s extended stay — he was initially signed on a two-and-a-half-month injury replacement contract — with discussions ongoing at the club about who may make way. It’s understood the club wants to look after that player with an offer to honour his salary in an off-court role.

Harrell — who is now going by the nickname ‘Aussie Monsta’ — arrived in Adelaide at the start of the season with the goal of getting back to the NBA as quickly as possible.

Coming off a torn ACL, Harrell has looked great in Sixers colours but still has work to do to be in NBA shape.

It’s understood Harrell will have NBA out-clauses in his new contract and NBA teams are monitoring his progress, with the view to revisiting him as potential veteran big-man depth who can help a contender — think an LA Lakers or Phoenix Suns.

Harell has lived up to the hype, his larger than life personality and emotional brand of hard-nosed basketball endearing himself to fans all over the country.

The 30-year-old is leading the NBL in rebounding at 10.3 per game to go with 15.7 points and 1 block, while having run-ins with the referees and opposing players.

Originally published as Adelaide 36ers lock in Montrezl Harrell for rest of NBL25 season, Jarell Martin set for injury return