Fan Favourite Returns to Adelaide

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Former Adelaide 36er Jacob Wiley has re-signed with the club for NBL24 and beyond.

A fan favourite is back in Adelaide for NBL24, with former import big Jacob Wiley returning to the club on a two-year deal with a mutual option.

Wiley, who is currently participating in the playoffs of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional, represented the 36ers during NBL19 following a Summer League stint with the Dallas Mavericks.

He was contracted for the following season, but exercised his European out-clause to sign in Spain.

The 203-centimetre forward/centre can’t wait to be back in Adelaide.

“I’m so excited man, my daughter (Layla) was born in Adelaide and I got roots in Adelaide, I have been following the team since I left,” Wiley said.

“I was watching most of the games, I kept up with the game, I was always watching on YouTube and the NBL website, I was keeping tabs on the club.”

During his last stint at the club, Wiley played 28 games and averaged 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Since last playing for Adelaide, he has turned out for teams in Spain, Greece, Montenegro, Japan and Puerto Rico, and represented North Macedonia at international level.

The 28-year-old says he's going to return to the NBL an even better player than before.

“The fans can expect a more mature, more experienced player,” Wiley said.

“I have global experience to bring back and leadership, I won a championship (in Puerto Rico) and I want to bring that culture back to Adelaide.”

36ers coach CJ Bruton said Wiley would be a perfect complement to an already star-studded roster.

“Jacob works very hard and I’m glad he’s super-excited to be returning,” Bruton said.

“I am thrilled to have a guy who can play multiple positions, with his effort to get up and down the floor, he will be able to attack at both ends.

“He’s a competitor and I think that will drive us as a group.

“He has some unfinished business from his last time here and I can’t wait to get him here.”

Wiley joins Jason Cadee, Mitch McCarron, Isaac Humphries, Sunday Dech, Antonius Cleveland, Alex Starling, Robert Franks, Nick Marshall, Kyrin Galloway, Keanu Rasmussen, Fraser Roxburgh, Akech Aliir and Harvey White as confirmed signings for NBL24.