Adelaide 36ers pull off NBA coup, sign Sixth Man of the Year for NBL25, then Blitz Kiwis

On the same day they pulled off a stunning NBA recruiting coup, Adelaide has made it two-from-two at the NBL Blitz with a comfortable win over New Zealand.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 98-91 NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS

On the same day they pulled off a stunning NBA recruiting coup, Adelaide has made it two-from-two at the NBL Blitz with a comfortable win over New Zealand.

While initial hope ex-Los Angeles Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell could be on the Gold Coast as soon as Friday’s pre-season clash with South East Melbourne has been dashed, the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year is set to arrive for the Sixers’ September 22 regular season tip-off with Sydney.

Star Adelaide big man Isaac Humphries, who carried the flag with a dominant 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in the 98-91 win, said Harrell added to an already elite Sixers’ core, which was aiming to end a six-year NBL playoff drought.

“It’ll be a great addition for the team,” Humphries said.

“We can’t wait for him to arrive and we’ll make those adjustments to fit him into the team when he gets here.

“We’re excited for a big season.”

Montrezl Harrell is Adelaide bound. Picture: Harry How/Getty Images/AFP

The Sixers brokered the Harrell deal in the early hours of Wednesday morning, where he told new coach Mike Wells and basketball boss Matt Weston of his desire to get back to the NBA.

Wells’ connection with the big league - he’s been an assistant with six clubs - was a determining factor in the North Carolina native’s decision to make the move to Adelaide.

The 30-year-old is coming off an ACL tear, which was surgically repaired last August. He provides valuable cover for injured import Jarell Martin, who has suffered a setback with a foot complaint and is set to miss at least the next month.

Harrell is an eight-year NBA veteran who was selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2015 draft. He averaged 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in winning the 2019-20 Sixth Man of the Year award.

Harrell arrives initially on a two-month nominated replacement player deal but there’s the potential for the 201cm Harrell to remain with the club all season, forming a fearsome front court trio with Humphries and Martin.

If that happens, once Martin is healthy the Sixers will have to make a roster decision, given they will be over the 11-man limit.

BREAKERS PUT ON ICE

Humphries played a peripheral role in the Sixers’ offence in their 32-point win over Tasmania on Monday with just five shots for seven points.

Isaac Humpheries played a peripheral role for the 36ers on Monday. On Wednesday, he destroyed the NZ bigs. Picture: Getty Images

He’d taken double that by halftime in this one as the Sixers made a pointed effort to find their one-man wrecking ball.

He responded by destroying the NZ bigs. The Breakers threw Freddie Gillespie, Sam Menenga, Jonah Bolden and Dane Pineau at the seven-footer and it didn’t matter, the big fella was unstoppable on the block and relentless on the glass.

Returning SA local Lat Mayen continued his positive homecoming with 11 points and five rebounds.

QUICKSILVER V THE FLASH: BAD BREAK FOR KIWIS

A 100m sprint race between American speed demons Kendric Davis and Parker Jackson-Cartwright would be entertaining stuff.

NZ’s returning MVP finalist PJC and Adelaide’s new blur Davis each leave a smoke trail as they hare up and down the court.

The two pint-sized floor generals matched up with each other whenever both were on the floor and each set the table for their respective teams.

Davis spent most of the first half deferring to his teammates and letting Humphries feast.

Adelaide signing Kendric Davis and Parker Jackson-Cartwright enjoyed an entertaining battle. Picture: Getty Images

But he exploded as part of a big third-quarter run with 12 of his game-high 23 points, including a contested trey as the buzzer sounded to give the Sixers’ a 10-point break going into the fourth.

PJC paced his team with 21 points and eight assists but suffered a painful finger injury in the dying seconds of the game.

Jackson-Cartwright appeared to dislocate a finger in a rebounding contest, with NZ medicos appearing to struggle to put it back in place.

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OFFICIALS 1, SIXERS COACH 0

It deserved the Jeopardy music when the game was held up for a couple of minutes early on by a score dispute.

The scoreboard showed 11-5 but Wells was adamant it should have been 13-5.

“We’re charting it, everyone’s gotta be ready to do their job,” the American bellowed.

Referee Ken Widgeon attempted to calm tensions: “Coach, that’s enough, we’ll figure it out.”

The silence was broken by a classic Goldie “What’s garn on” from a punter in the crowd.

A bit of speed watching of the replay from the review centre and it was discovered the score was, indeed, 11-5.

No harm, no foul but perhaps the Sixers could have lost a timeout, given the NBL’s focus on speeding up the game.

EXPLOSIVE KING

He’s still only 22 but it’s already been a big basketball journey for former NBL Next Star Mojave King.

The Kiwi-born guard, who made his home in Queensland spent Next Star campaigns in Cairns and Adelaide, without setting the league on fire.

Mojave King has returned to the NBL a far better player than when he left. Picture: Getty Images

But that became a stepping stone to the NBA last year, where he was drafted by the LA Lakers and traded to Indiana.

He returned to the NBL this season, after time with the Pacers’ G League affiliate, and is a clearly superior player.

The bouncy 196cm guard has clear offensive gifts, with ability to connect from deep, create his own shot and finish with a soft touch in the lane.

Jackson-Cartwright needs someone to help him carry the offensive load and, early doors, King looks the man most likely, with 18 points on 10 shots.

Originally published as Adelaide 36ers pull off NBA coup, sign Sixth Man of the Year for NBL25, then Blitz Kiwis