'Always grateful': Montrezl thanks NBL fans

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The Adelaide 36ers are on the verge of releasing former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell in a shock move just days out from their NBL26 season opener.

"Much love for all the Australian fans man I truly appreciate and love the support and energy y'all gave to me!" Harrell posted to Twitter last night.

"Made me fall in love with hoops again last year in a dark time! Will always be grateful for that!"

The 36ers had been navigating issues with Harrell regarding a drugs violation while playing in China earlier this year, and pulled him from the exhibition game against Panathinaikos in Sydney on Sunday where he was replaced by Vrenz Bleijenbergh.

The long-term availability of Harrell is not known by club or player, and there is potential for an extended stint on the sidelines.

"Like I understand fail a drug test!" Harrell also wrote.

"I get what the test showed!

"What I get lost is on the doping part!

"Because doping is rule on taking a drug to increase or gain an edge in competition use!

"I know damn well I had zero of anything like that in me so again doping???"

What adds to the confusion is Harrell's recent appearances playing in Puerto Rico and the Big3 before returning to Australia.

Harrell had been hinting at issues recently with various tweets, including with one that read "No lie this honestly gone mess up a lot of fans!" just hours before the reported move broke.

Harrell re-signed with the 36ers almost immediately after the club signed five-time MVP Bryce Cotton but controversy already surrounded the start to his second season in Adelaide.

The former Louisville Cardinals college standout arrived late back in Australia and then did not take part in Adelaide’s pre-season games nor the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament against Panathinaikos in Sydney where the club released it was "due to a matter raised during his time competing in China".

Harrell's reported departure comes at a time where the former Clippers, Lakers, Rockets, Wizards, Hornets and 76ers big man was a huge part of the NBL26 promotions, including being the poster boy for the league's new logo for the season 'Play It Loud'.

Harrell last season averaged 20.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1 block a game after coming in as an injury replacement for Jarell Martin before staying for the whole season - a campaign that was riddled by cultural and team environment issues.