Some big names of basketball will converge on Mount Gambier tomorrow night as the Blue Lake city again hosts the Adelaide 36ers NBL team for a pre-season match.
The 36ers will play the Brisbane Bullets at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre following last year’s success when Adelaide took on the SE Melbourne Phoenix in Mount Gambier.
The 36ers will be looking to kick off their pre-season in style, following a tough 2023/24 season that had them finishing second last on the ladder with a record of 12-16.
The club has swung the changes since then in a bid to secure a finals berth this season, with its major change seeing Mike Wells replace Scott Ninnis as head coach.
Adelaide has also looked at boosting their roster with the signings of two big import players.
Their first big signing was point guard Kendric Davis who played for the NBA G-League team Santa Cruz Warriors and for the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA Summer League.
He will be joined by big man Jarrel Martin who brings plenty of experience to the team, winning an NBL championship with the Sydney Kings while also playing 192 NBA games for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic.
36ers head coach Mike Wells said he was excited for the trip to Mount Gambier given the opportunities it brings to help improve his side.
“I think it’s going to be good being on the road, this will put us in an environment where we can be around each other,” he said.
“It’s great to play against somebody else, that will give us a better idea of where we are at.
“We have had some time to get our ideas and concepts across to the guys and we are going against a group which has already been playing games.”
The pre-season game will also see Castec Rural Pioneers player Nick Marshall, who has also been signed by the 36ers, return to his home court.
Marshall spoke to The SE Voice and said he had been enjoying the 36ers’ pre-season.
“It’s been pretty good, obviously with the coaching change we’re starting to get into it now,” he said.
“We’re now two weeks into pre-season with Mike (Wells) and everything’s going well and I’m looking forward to playing some games.”
Marshall joined the team in Adelaide several weeks ago after finishing up the Pioneers’ NBL1 South season and believes the team is gelling well together.
“I think it’s been pretty good, the imports only got here last week so everybody is starting to get into their groove,” he said.
“Jarell (Martin) is still getting back from rehab so hopefully he is back for the start of the season.”
So far Marshall has been excited to be coached by Wells given the experience that he brings to the team.
“I think he’s been really good, obviously he’s got great experience with 20 years in the NBA so he knows what he’s doing,” he said.
“I’m excited to learn a lot and keep growing and keep getting better as a player this season.”
Marshall said he had enjoyed taking the court with the new recuits during pre-season.
“Obviously Jarell has not been able to train with us yet but KD (Kendric Davis) has been cool to learn from and he’s tough to guard, he’s super fast and he’s short so he’s really quick, it’s been fun trying to defend him and obviously he’s a great talent and it will be cool to continue in growing and playing with him,” he said.
Marshall said he was looking forward to the opportunity to again play in front of the Mount Gambier crowd in the 36ers uniform.
“It’s really cool, it’s cool to come back to the Mount because playing in the Mount is always fun so playing for the Sixers in the Mount is pretty cool because I get to show what I have done in the NBL1 season and how I’m going to be in the NBL season on a bigger stage,” he said.
“But I think it’s also good to have NBL teams come into Mount Gambier where some of those fans might not get to see an NBL game and players that talented, so it might spark some interest if they cannot get down to some games in Adelaide or Melbourne or wherever it is.”
Marshall believes the 36ers are looking good heading into the season and is excited to start playing some games.
“I think we can be pretty good, we are still growing and getting better as a team and we have not really had everyone yet but I think we’re tracking pretty well,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to playing some pre-season games and getting some games under our belt because practising against each other every day is getting a bit the same.
“We just need something different and some more team bonding so this Mount Gambier trip will be a great trip for us to go down there and play a game and hang out with each other and spend some time together.”
The 36ers will kick of their season on September 22 when they face the Sydney Kings.
