Crosscourt: Latest news and happenings out of Round 12 of the 2023-24 NBL season

Emerging Kiwi forward Hyrum Harris looms as one that got away from the Adelaide 36ers, but why exactly did he leave for Perth? The rising Wildcat tells all.

One of the greatest nights in recent NBL history, the story behind by a revitalised Kiwi gun had to switch clubs, a coach spray for the reigning champions and why the league’s best bloke had to take a look in the mirror.

All the latest NBL news in this week’s edition of Crosscourt.

KIWI REVEALS WHY HE HAD TO LEAVE ADELAIDE 36ERS

Emerging Kiwi forward Hyrum Harris looms as one that got away from the Adelaide 36ers.

Harris, who represented New Zealand at this year’s FIBA World Cup, revealed he wanted to stay in the City of Churches beyond last season but he said an offer never came.

That allowed the Perth Wildcats to swoop in with a two-year deal and now the 27-year-old is powering the Red Army’s remarkable turnaround with his versatile, no frills game that fits seamlessly with superstar Bryce Cotton and company.

Hyrum Harris during his time at the 36ers. Picture: Getty Images

“I wanted to go back to Adelaide but my agent said to me Perth’s coming to the table, so I just went with what I thought was best for me and decided to come here,” Harris, who was the 36ers’ 2021-22 Most Improved Player, said.

“Adelaide just didn’t offer me anything.

“I’m lucky to be given this opportunity (in Perth).”

Harris, who had played sparingly as the Wildcats dropped to 2-5 to start the season, was injected into the starting line-up — in typical John Rillie fashion — and handed a significant role, beginning with his former club.

“It started off after our Brisbane loss where at practice I jumped in with the starting group and then stayed there the whole week,” Harris said.

“It got to the day before the game and JR said ‘I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but you’ve been in the starting group so we’re probably going to start you this week against Adelaide.

Hyrum Harris has made the most of a new start in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

“I was like ‘Oh yep, cool’, I didn’t want to over celebrate, But, in the back of my mind I was like, ‘OK, don’t screw this up, just stay calm, stay level-headed and just go with the flow.

“I just tried to go out there and put my best foot forward and hopefully the results fell my way and they kind of did that game.”

The 9 points and 6 rebounds in an early November win over the Sixers that snapped a four-game losing streak don’t pop off the box score but Harris’ work as a secondary ball-handler and connective fibre has been vital in a stretch of seven wins in nine games that has propelled the Wildcats up the ladder and into title contention — as the Sixers languish in last place.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER — NOW WHAT’S THE NEXT LEVEL?

What a banner night Melbourne United’s open air game was for the NBL.

The challenge, now, is how do you top it?

The city turned on the sunshine as the roof retracted on John Cain Arena, allowing dusk to give way to a perfectly mild summer night.

With every ticket gone days out from the game, United fans had flooded social media in the hope of snaring a seat. That meant the energy generated by the official crowd number of 10,175 was off the Richter.

Only the 150kg of pyrotechnics that blasted into the night sky at halftime could top the crowd noise.

Saturday’s open-air game at John Cain Arena had everything. Picture: Getty Images

But nothing got near what unfolded on the court.

In a one-v-two classic that literally had everything, the fierce rivalry that has permeated through every Perth v Melbourne meeting produced a second overtime classic on JCA in as many meetings, the equal of any game played this year.

Everywhere you looked, there were heroes for both teams.

The Wildcats looked to have United’s measure most of the night as superstar Bryce Cotton threatened to rip the game away.

But an early 10-point fourth quarter explosion from former Wildcat Luke Travers helped United reclaim the lead for the first time since the third minute of the game (3-2).

Up 74-73 with 7.32 to go, what unfolded was some of the wildest shot-making you will ever see on an NBL basketball court.

Chris Goulding found his radar when it was needed most. Picture: Getty Images

His radar uncharacteristically off, United talisman Chris Goulding had made just two of his 10 attempts from deep at the last break. He showed why he is one of the favourites in this year’s MVP race with nine straight United points — a pair of treys sandwiching a tough and-one — to keep his side alive.

On the other side, firebrand Jordan Usher ignited with eight of 11 Wildcats points, jawing with a pair of young blokes in white shirts in the baseline seats after he splashed a trey from their corner, much to their amusement and embarrassment.

Cotton then took over with the next six to keep the Wildcats in it — even if he missed a freebie that would have put the game out of reach.

Bryce Cotton fired, but couldn’t save the Wildcats. Picture: Getty Images

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr’s bouncing, bobbling free throw with 2.4 seconds left added to the late suspense, the crowd losing its collective mind when the ball somehow fell through the cylinder, allowing the giant centre to send the game to overtime with a second make at the charity stripe.

At full-time, United import Ian Clark had perhaps the quietest 12 points you’ll ever see from the ultra-talented NBA champion.

Boy, did he make some noise when it was winning time. As Cotton dropped another seven of his game-high 36, it was Clark who took over, igniting the extra period with a remarkable 13-point domination, ripping the game away from plucky Perth.

Ian Clark with his own version of the MJ shrug. Picture: Getty Images

If that was a grand final preview, it can’t come quick enough.

Nights like this prove the NBL and its fans aren’t just drinking the Kool-Aid — basketball has arrived, it is a legit summer sport, muscling in on the likes of cricket and A-League with innovation, promotion and increased quality. And it’s here to stay.

‘DIDN’T COME TO PLAY’: COACH’S DAMNING KINGS ASSESSMENT

Sydney’s chase for a rare NBL three-peat continues to be plagued by wild inconsistency.

In some games, the Kings look among the best teams in the league. But, when they don’t bring it, they leave themselves ripe for the picking.

Case in point Friday night’s loss to New Zealand.

The Kings looked like they were still on the plane as the Breakers hardly broke a sweat on the way to a 23-6 start to the game.

Sydney coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah didn’t hold back in his assessment of his Kings after their loss to New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images

The Kings fought back to enter halftime all square, only to give up a 23-8 start to the third.

First-year Sydney coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah did not mince his words, post-game.

“Guys didn’t come ready to play, It’s as simple as that,” Abdelfattah said.

“There’s no excuses for that, They just didn’t come ready play.

“They get paid to play basketball, and they only play two quarters.”

The talent is there but it hasn’t quite meshed yet in a city with high expectations after back-to-back titles under Chase Buford.

NBL’S BEST BLOKE TAKES A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

—with additional reporting from Matt McInerney

Find us a better bloke in the NBL than big American Alan Williams.

The South East Melbourne big man has clearly claimed the moniker of the NBL’s “ultimate good guy”.

The man with the multimillion-dollar smile has been a literal joy since arriving in the Heartland at the beginning of last season.

But his one frustration has been dealing with the referees. The NBL is a little man’s league and unfortunately for Al, he’s as wide as a Mack truck — and the whistleblowers never miss him. Williams ranks 10th in the league in fouls with 47 but those have come in just 12 appearances — every player above him has played at least 15 games.

The resultant frustration — and the fact he has too often been forced to sit in key moments due to foul trouble — has been hurting the already struggling Phoenix.

Alan Williams has changed his approach to dealing with his foul trouble. Picture: Getty Images

So the Arizonan took “a look in the mirror” and made a deliberate “change in my mentality”.

“I was failing my teammates, I was failing myself by allowing what was called or what was not called to affect me in a negative way,” Williams said.

“So I went back and decided to look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘you know what, I’m just going to have a positive outlook on it, whether I get a call or not, regardless of what happens, control what I can control and that’s my energy and effort.”

Against Cairns, the depleted Phoenix didn’t get the W but Williams managed to stay out of foul trouble, play 32 minutes and pour in a game-high 29 points.

“He works hard but also is mindful of what he needs to do to get better and also the energy he brings to the group is essential,” coach Mike Kelly said of his star charge.

“Al is next level in the way he communicates and then the way he competes. He’s a gamer and we need that, so I just love the energy.”

Far North Queensland suffered widespread flooding after ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper dumped two metres of rain in some parts, cutting off communities and causing enormous amounts of damage.

And that was at the forefront of Williams’ mind, as he declared it an honour to play in front of 3600 fans in Cairns in such a difficult time for the local community.

“All of our thoughts and prayers went out to the people of Far North Queensland, the Cairns community,” Williams said.

“Just to be able to come in and provide entertainment for a group of people, a community that has gone through so much recently — I think we played with a lot of gusto for that, and understanding it’s bigger than basketball.

“I was super honoured to be playing out there in front of the Cairns fans, and I think the rest of the guys felt the same way.”