Bruton Finds Silver Lining in Early Season Exit

Friday, March 31, 2023

Introspection was the name of the game for CJ Bruton and the Adelaide 36ers during the NBL Finals.

After earning an historic win over the Phoenix Suns in the NBL23 pre-season, the 36ers struggled to gain momentum over the course of the campaign, and struggled to an eighth-place finish and a record that was two wins outside the post-season.

As the NBL Free Agency period begins the 36ers have just six rostered players ahead of NBL24. They’re currently taking Antonius Cleveland, Robert Franks, Mitch McCarron, Nick Marshall, Kyrin Galloway and Sunday Dech into next season.

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“Being knocked out before the playoffs there’s a lot of interviews and soul-searching,” Bruton told the Adelaide 36ers website.

“What we as an organisation can get better at, what myself as a coach [can improve on] for the players that are returning, how they see themselves and what we as an organisation can continue to build on.

“So, there’s a lot that goes into it, and the free agency list is big.

“Being able to get a look at that a little bit earlier while teams are still playing and jockeying for the title was definitely a key advantage for us.”

Of the six players Bruton and the 36ers are taking into next season, four have shown the potential to be possible starters for the side. Cleveland, Franks, McCarron and Dech.

Despite having the bones of a competitive opening group already on the roster, Bruton says the club is going to target the best talent possible in free agency.

“[You want] guys that can impact and carry a load for you, and if they can continue to do that you want to implement guys that can come in and substitute and play a role,” he said.

“Making sure we find the right pieces through free agency or from overseas is definitely key. Some of it won’t happen in the next two days – it’s definitely a process.

“It’s taken a long time to identify those guys.”

NBL Free Agency opened today – March 30 – at 9am.

To keep up to date with all the free agency news, head to the NBL Free Agency Hub.