Title fighters: 36ers flex muscle to end 23-year drought

Saturday, May 24, 2025

"Our intention is to put a team together which under Mike’s leadership can challenge for the title."

The Adelaide 36ers will do everything in their power to win their first championship since 2002, owner Grant Kelley says.

Perennially one of the biggest spenders in the league, the 36ers no doubt had to dig deep into the pockets to bring in someone of Bryce Cotton’s calibre, but Kelley’s message is clear on pushing for a championship: “that’s why we’re playing.”

“Our intention is to put a team together which under Mike’s leadership can challenge for the title,” he said on Friday.

“(I’m) not going to disclose numbers respectfully, but what I would say is, you know, there is a market for talent. We’ve always shown that we’re prepared to spend to get that talent.”

They went big with Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell. Is Bryce Cotton the one to finally take Adelaide to the promised land?

“With Bryce, there’s no doubt what he does and what he can do in this league,” Wells said.

“Instantly, when you put Bryce Cotton on your roster, it changes everything. It just changes everything the moment that he walks in because of who he is and what he’s accomplished and how he goes about his business. It will be nothing but a positive for our organisation.”

“You don’t get an opportunity to add this sort of talent to your mix very often.”

Cotton has committed to Adelaide through to NBL28 on a blockbuster three-year deal.

“What he’s accomplished in a Perth uniform is really a remarkable thing,” Wells continued.

“And yet he’s 32, he’s in his prime. There’s been no decline in what he’s been able to do as a player.”

“Right now in Puerto Rico, he’s shooting 50 per cent from two and 40 from three basically, and 90 from the free throw line. That’s what he does. There’s a standard of excellence.”

Wells revealed he and GM of Basketball Operations Matt Weston had worked tirelessly to reset the team’s culture during the off-season.

They’ve added fresh talent from rival clubs, while keeping marquee locals Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic.

“We’re extremely excited about each and every one of those guys … starting with guys that we brought home like Michael Harris and Isaac White, and then continuing with Flynn Cameron and Matt Kenyon and now Bryce to shape where we want to go as a team, as an organisation and building a culture,” Wells said.

“For us to be able to add Bryce and everything that he brings, and in his prime, obviously changes our culture the moment that he puts on a 36ers uniform.”

“What has been lacking, for whatever reason people want to attribute, I think has been what Mike talked about at length, which is a winning culture, a team-first culture,” Kelley added.

The roster isn’t complete just yet, but with Cotton in the mix, Adelaide’s intentions are crystal clear.

“The ultimate goal here is to win a championship. And we haven’t done that in a long time around here, and that’s going to be goal number one,” Wells said.

And as to whether one of the all-time great signing coups makes them favourites for the title?

“I don’t know, that’s for you guys to debate.”