LA Clippers Release ‘Monsta Trezz’ Player Profile Film on Montrezl Harrell

The LA Clippers released a team-produced short film highlighting Montrezl Harrell. The short is part of a season-long series profiling the different players and personalities on the team.

If you weren’t aware yet- the LA Clippers media team is second to none. From the chills-inducing opening hype video before games to the game preview videos on their social media accounts, they have done a fantastic job of creating great-looking, amazingly edited, and attention-grabbing content all year. “Monsta Trezz”, and short Montrezl Harrell documentary adds just another feather to that cap.

The short documentary focuses primarily on Harrell’s humble beginnings in Tarboro, North Carolina. With extensive interviews from his North Edgecombe high school coaches and father, they paint a picture of a young, tall kid devoid of much athleticism. As he was directed towards sports by his adult mentors Trezz picked up playing football.

Even in the early stages of his sports career, he showed an unrivaled work ethic that stood out to everyone. At one point in the film, they reveal he was no longer allowed to hit the practice bags because he was hitting them so hard they were becoming damaged.

After giving his all in football he revealed to his coaches and parents that his true passion was basketball and he wanted to pursue that sport instead. Given his height and drive, he quickly became the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. It was clear this was his path. He worked so hard his coaches recall receiving late-night phone calls from Harrell asking if they could come open the school gym so he could train on his own.

With the spotlight comes critics. The documentary reveals that Trezz dealt with animosity and jealousy from players and spectators during his high school career as he began to dominate. Even at that age, he learned that people would view him as a product and not a person. This seems to be where Trezz gained the chip on his shoulder and his signature “every game and matchup is personal” style of playing.

The film details his important role in winning the championship game for the University of Louisville as well as how he dropped to the second round in the NBA draft due to scouts unable to pin his position and role in the NBA.

After not playing much his first two years in the league Harrell felt he was at risk of fizzling out of the league. He continued to put in work and train as hard as he could. There was one person in his corner on the team telling him to stay ready and that one day his number would be called and he would be able to show the world who he is. That player? Fellow Rockets teammate Lou Williams.

He even went so far as to ask for an assignment down to the G-League. A humbling thing to do, but Trezz just wanted to hoop. After putting up huge numbers he was recalled and given a limited role in Houston.

Harrell wasn’t given a major role until being traded to the LA Clippers in 2017 as part of a package deal for Chris Paul. That’s where his connection with Lou Williams and the chemistry they built in Houston had paid off. The film has clips of his LA teammates like Patrick Beverly and JaMychal Green praising him for his tough style of play and energy off the bench.

Trezz himself speaks throughout the film, but maybe one of the most interesting parts is when he speaks about looking up to Lou and his ability to maintain a high level of play for fifteen years by coming off the bench.

His development coaches and scouts surmise that his rise to stardom in the league is due to his never-ending quest to become a better player. He spends his summers playing in several summer leagues and continues to work on his craft, never settling.

The film wraps with testimonials about his passion for family. Anyone that follows Trezz on social media knows that his two kids are everything to him. He applies his mentality of always trying to better at his craft to fatherhood. Trezz is painted as a role model both on and off the court.

The film is unbelievable and does a great job of showing the beginnings of one of the league’s most exciting players. In a year where the season has been cut short, this is the content we all need right now.