If you’re involved with Oklahoma sports, specifically high school basketball, then you know who Allonzo Trier is. He was actually a teammate of mine for a short period when I played with the Oklahoma City Storm homeschool basketball team for a portion of my senior year. He was about 6-feet tall in the eighth grade and somehow the leader of the varsity team. At that point, we all knew he’d be a special player. After moving to the Findlay Prep in Las Vegas to finish out his high school career, he ended up at Arizona for college.
After a pretty successful freshman season, now at 6-foot-6, Trier thought about entering the NBA draft but has decided to return for his sophomore season. He averaged 14. 8 points per game but missed seven Pac-12 games with an injured hand.
“After talking to Coach [Sean] Miller and my family, I have decided to return to school for my sophomore season,” Trier said in a statement. “I am really excited about the quest to become a more complete player. I am also excited to develop as a leader and to lock arms with my teammates while competing for championships. I love being at the University of Arizona and can’t wait for next season to begin.”
Arizona started as an elite team this season, well…most of it, starting as a pre-season top 10 selection, but conference play, and Trier’s injury caused this team to underachieve a little bit before they picked things back up in the final stretch of the season. They finished (25-9), but lost to Witchita State in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
“I am ecstatic about Allonzo’s decision to return to school for his sophomore year,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said in a statement. “I believe he will become one of college basketball’s elite players next season.”
Arizona is no stranger to talented young guards like Trier. Remember Aaron Gordon and Stanley Johnson? Trier and his family knew exactly what was in store when they made the decision to send Trier to the desert.
Glad he’s staying another year. Great story!