Adelaide 36er Jacob Wiley struck by gastro, deemed too sick to travel

Gastro is no fun but it wasn’t going to stop one of the 36ers from playing, or flying home to Adelaide – until it did.

Jacob Wiley of the 36ers rebounds during the round six NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

You’ve got to give Jacob Wiley an A for effort despite the Adelaide 36ers losing to the Perth Wildcats – 88 to 99 – on Saturday.

The 36ers have been dealing with gastro and Wiley, 29, was struck down on Saturday, but was determined to play on at Perth’s RAC Arena.

36er Jacob Wiley warms up before the match on Saturday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Jacob Wiley of the 36ers drives to the key against Alex Sarr of the Wildcats during the round six NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“He had a cup of cement to try and play,” a source joked to The Advertiser, while praising his perseverance.

While Wiley managed to make it through to half time it was game over for him after that.

On Sunday morning he felt well enough to fly home to Adelaide but Qantas had other ideas.

After Wiley boarded the plane it was decided he was too unwell to travel and he disembarked delaying takeoff for the other passengers, including his teammates, by 40 minutes.