Harrell's focus on NBL25 campaign

New Adelaide 36ers signing Montrezl Harrell can’t wait to make his NBL debut this weekend at HoopsFest in Perth.

The 201cm power forward said his focus was entirely on the 36ers’ NBL campaign, which tips off on Sunday afternoon at RAC Arena when Adelaide battle Sydney Kings.

“I’m not thinking about the NBA, I’m thinking about the Adelaide season and focus on this week’s game, it’s one game at a time,” Harrell told media on Tuesday.

“I will do what I’m supposed to do in the game, in between these lines.

“I will do everything I can and focus on that, and the back end will take care of itself.”

Harrell touched down in Adelaide on Monday night and trained with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday morning.

“I enjoyed it, getting up and down with the boys, all these guys want to do is to get out there and compete, that’s the best thing you can ask for,” Harrell said.

“I still got some learning to do when it comes to the plays and understanding the terminology, but it was a great first day.”

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The 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner had his 2023/24 NBA campaign ended due to a knee injury, but Harrell is back ahead of schedule.

“I feel good, the injury is not bothering me at all, we just went for an hour and a half there and I’m feeling no fatigue,” he said.

“That was after spending a full day on a plane with the trip over here.

“I want to get back out there and show that I have worked on my game.

“I’m ready to show everyone I’ve done everything to get back where I want to be.”

Harrell said the opportunity to come to Adelaide to showcase his talent was a chance to prove to everyone his career is far from over.

“I’m not done with the game of basketball,” Harrell said.

“I didn’t want to end my career on an injury, and this organisation has understood where I am coming from and where I am at and what I want to achieve.

“Adelaide has welcomed me with open arms, and they want to do everything for me to get back to where I want to be.

“I’m going to give everything I got for the whole time I am here.

“I didn’t want to just wait it out and work out and wait for a team to call.

“I want to show guys that hey, I’m ready ahead of time, I didn’t want to just wait for a call.” 

The 30-year-old’s trip to Australia was long and he was on the practice court just over 12 hours after arriving.

“This is my first time overseas, so it’s cool, it’s a new experience,” Harrell said.

“I didn’t realise once I landed, I had to go through the TSA (customs) again, so that was an experience.”

The Nominated Replacement Player also brought nearly 15 items of luggage.

“I have never been overseas, so I didn’t know how much to bring, but this was nothing really,” Harrell said.

“I didn’t want to have to call back home and get them to send something extra.

“I got told I was coming to the spring weather, but I didn’t expect it to be this cold, I’ll need to go and buy a hoodie.”