Dunking machine Jacob Wiley signs new contract with Adelaide 36ers for next season

American dunking machine Jacob Wiley has re-signed with the Adelaide 36ers for next season, in a huge boost for the side ahead of its campaign-defining clash in Perth on Friday.

Jacob Wiley will return for the Adelaide 36ers next season after signing a new deal. Picture: Sarah Reed.

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• Wiley’s journey to Adelaide

American dunking machine Jacob Wiley has re-signed with the Adelaide 36ers for next season.

In a major boost to the team just three days out from its season-defining clash with Perth on Friday night, Wiley has put pen to paper on a new contract.

The 24-year-old arrived in Adelaide with NBA experience this season as a replacement for Mitch Creek who joined Brooklyn, and he has averaged 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Wiley has thrilled fans with his work above the rim in his debut NBL season. Picture: Sarah Reed.

His breakout performances included a season-high 30 points against Cairns, 23 against New Zealand and 21 in a crucial win over Sydney.

“It feels amazing to re-sign, I feel a real connection with the community and fans,” Wiley said.

“Obviously the basketball has been great but it’s been all those other little things, having a family and having my kids really like it here, it’s just all come together.

“I think we all feed off the energy. I’m an energy player and if I make a good play or get hyped up, the crowd really seems to feed off that and we feed off each other. I’ve really liked the support we’ve had this season.

“Winning is everything, literally everything. It’s our last game of the regular season (on Friday), a must-win game in a hostile environment in Perth. So, we’re going to be amped for this game.”

Adelaide owner Grant Kelley said he was “thrilled” Wiley was returning next season.

“To already have over half the squad locked in for the 2019-20 season at this point of the year is a real triumph,” Kelley said.

“Jacob brings such excitement and passion to the court and has continued to grow and excel as not only a player but as a leader both on and off the court.”

The 36ers will fly to Perth on Wednesday to prepare for Friday night’s game against the Wildcats that could determine their finals fate.

Win and they’re in the play-offs but lose and they must rely on Brisbane losing to New Zealand on Saturday.

Their focus this week has been trying to come up with a plan to stop league MVP Bryce Cotton who had 27 points — including 25 in just 16 minutes — in the Wildcats’ win over Sydney on the weekend.

“We definitely have to slow Bryce up, he is a big-time player and shows why he gets paid the big-time money,” Sixers coach Joey Wright said.

“We have a few things we’ll try to do to him and sometimes it’s successful, but sometimes it is just mercy — he’s that good.

“He’s not going to stop looking for good shots, so if you’re not ready, he’ll get you in the first 10 minutes, last 10 minutes or middle 10 minutes.

“He’s a great player and he’s looking for opportunities the entire time so we have to look at ways to stop him the entire time.

“Sometimes we have a tendency to shut off a little bit and that’s what got us (against Melbourne) on Sunday, we shut down and all of a sudden they knocked down big shots.”

Wright also highlighted the importance of challenging Perth on the boards.

“They’re tenacious, one of the things they do a great job of is anticipating the shot going up,” he said.

“There are really only a couple of guys shooting the ball, when that shot goes up those guys are already rebounding, our guys are waiting for the ball to hit the rim.”

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