Allonzo Trier’s return makes Arizona a national championship contender

Arizona’s national championship aspirations received a big boost on Thursday. Allonzo Trier will return to college for his junior season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. This could be exactly what Sean Miller needs to make his first Final Four since arriving in Tucson.

Trier, a 6’5 shooting guard, is a gifted scorer when he’s locked in. He led Arizona with 17.2 points per game last season while shooting 46 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range. Trier will be seeking redemption as a junior after his sophomore campaign was marred by a PED suspension that cost him the first 19 games of the year.

Trier’s absence was one of the great mysteries of the early part of the college basketball season. Speculation started when he was pulled out of Pac-12 media day, and continued as he showed up at team events in street clothes throughout the first two months of the year. Miller refused to update his status along the way before the news finally broke in January.

Trier immediately became Arizona’s primary offensive option upon his return. He was brilliant during the Wildcats’ run to the Pac-12 tournament championship, scoring 20 points to beat No. 3 UCLA in the semifinals and 23 points to defeat No. 5 Oregon in the tournament title game.

Arizona’s season ended with an upset loss to 11th-seeded Xavier in the Sweet 16. The future of the roster was very much in question. Lauri Markkanen had an easy decision to declare for the NBA draft, and fellow freshman Kobi Simmons followed him out the door. Rawle Alkins, Miller’s third freshman star, has also declared for the draft but elected not to sign with an agent, leaving the door open for his return.

Trier was the biggest question mark. He was projected as a second-round pick, but has decided to return to school without even testing the NBA waters. He’ll hope to be next season’s Buddy Hield or Justin Jackson: A veteran college player who boosts his NBA stock by returning to school and having a monster season.

Hield took Oklahoma to the Final Four and Jackson led UNC to the national title. Trier has similar aspirations. He’ll return to a talented Wildcats team that could be the preseason No. 1.

The big get for Arizona next season is center DeAndre Ayton, who enters college as either the No. 1 or No. 2 recruit in the country depending on which outlet you like best. Ayton very much looks the part of a basketball unicorn: He’s a 7-footer who can stroke jumpers and has the lateral quickness to defend the perimeter. Ayton also boasts a 7’5 wingspan that should make him an intimidating rim protector, too.

Trier and Ayton will be surrounded by a quality cast. Point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright and center Dusan Ristic will return as seniors. Brandon Randolph is a four-star freshman who will help on the wing, while Ira Lee is a four-star power forward who will add depth inside. There’s also Dylan Smith, a transfer from UNC-Asheville who will make his debut next season. And there is always the chance Alkins could return.

Michigan State will be near the top of the preseason polls with the return of Miles Bridges. Duke and Kentucky are staples, and UNC will be a factor again as well even without Jackson. But Arizona is right there and it’s because of Trier’s return.

This looks like a great decision for both the player and the program. Arizona will now be one of the favorites heading into next season. Trier will have every opportunity to boost his NBA stock with scouts flocking to Tucson all year to see Ayton.

The happiest person of all? That’s Sean Miller. After Mark Few and Gonzaga finally broke through last season, it’s time for Miller to go to the Final Four. With Trier, there’s a good chance it happens.