36ers land five-time Championship coach

Five-time NBL Championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson will lead the Adelaide 36ers next season, signing a three-year deal with the club.

Boasting close to a 60 per cent winning record across 460 games with three NBL teams, Gleeson returns to the League for the first time since 2021.

He most recently spent two seasons in charge of Japanese B.League team, the Chiba Jets, recording an impressive 69 per cent winning record.

“I've been watching from afar and with the team and where it's headed, it's an exciting time,” Gleeson said of the 36ers’ roster.

“Adelaide's vision for the future and what it was looking for in a Head Coach really aligned with my principles and my experience.

“I'm excited and I am looking forward to the challenge of building the 36ers into a championship team.

“Obviously, I've got strong ties with Bryce Cotton, so that's always incentive to have arguably the best player in NBL history.”

Gleeson and Cotton combined for three championships at the Perth Wildcats and now reunite with the chance to guide Adelaide to its first championship since 2002.

The 36ers finished runners-up in the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season, with Mike Wells departing in the past fortnight for family reasons.

The club’s Executive Chairman Grant Kelley said Adelaide was thrilled to secure a coach of Gleeson’s pedigree.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Trevor to the Adelaide 36ers,” Kelley said.

“Trevor is a coach of the highest calibre. He is a proven winner, an outstanding leader, and someone who understands what it takes to build a championship program.

“His record speaks for itself: sustained success, multiple titles, and an ability to get the very best out of players and staff.

“This is an important appointment at a time when we have a roster built for success. We believe he is the right person to lead our basketball program and drive the standards and culture required to compete for championships year after year.”

The two-time NBL Coach of the Year has also spent time as an assistant coach with the Australian national team, as well as in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks.

Gleeson will begin his role with the club next month.