Crosscourt: Latest news from across the NBL ahead of Pride Round, 2024

Even before CJ Bruton was sacked, the Adelaide 36ers coveted Brian Goorjian. That hasn’t changed but a growing number of club legends want to see Scott Ninnis named full-time coach.

Michael Randall and Matt Logue

8 min read

January 20, 2024 - 7:06AM

Sydney Kings bounce back after demolishing the NZ Breakers

Basketball

Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Adelaide has ramped up its pursuit of the NBL’s most successful coach Brian Goorjian — a chase that has been in the pipeline since last season.

Crosscourt understands the 36ers had discussions around the possibility of the Australian Boomers’ mentor joining the club last year when then-coach CJ Bruton was still in charge.

The move didn’t eventuate but Adelaide remains interested in the six-time NBL championship-winner.

Goorjian recently told Crosscourt he would coach domestically after this year’s Paris Olympics, opening the door for a return to the NBL.

Adelaide continues to court Boomers coach Brian Goorjian. Picture: AFP

That news prompted multiple clubs to inquire about the super coach’s services for the 2024-25 season and beyond but Goorjian will also have a raft of potential suitors in Asia, where he has previously excelled in China, Japan and The Philippines.

It’s understood the Sixers were engaged in discussions with former Perth coach Trevor Gleeson before the Milwaukee Bucks swooped in to steal him away to the NBA.

Adelaide interim Scott Ninnis has his admirers among 36ers’ legends. Picture: Getty Images

Regardless, interim coach Scott Ninnis has enhanced his reputation, having galvanised the team in the wake of Bruton’s departure, and there’s a groundswell from club legends for the two-time Sixers’ champion to be awarded the full-time job.

Ninnis led the Sixers to back-to-back wins over top side Melbourne United and reigning champion Sydney and brings a money-can’t-buy understanding of the club’s history and culture.Whether or not he is tapped for the top job, it’s understood he will be at the club in some capacity, beyond the end of this season.

WIN RELIEVES PRESSURE ON UNDER-FIRE KINGS COACH — FOR NOW

Sydney Kings officials had serious discussions about coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah’s future after a poor loss to Adelaide — and while a blowout win over the New Zealand Breakers has given him more time, just how much remains to be seen.

A win, but pressure remains on Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah. Picture: Getty Images

Uncertainty reigned over Abdelfattah’s tenure in Sydney after the Kings’ meek effort against the 36ers that followed consecutive home losses and had their defence justifiably questioned.

That display led to talks about Abdelfattah and whether he was the man to lead the club forward.

Last Sunday’s dominant 105-76 victory over the Breakers has taken some pressure off the under-fire coach but it hasn’t completely alleviated the blowtorch.

Crosscourt understands Abdelfattah will most likely remain coach for the rest of the season, but he requires a strong finish to NBL24 to secure his future.

The 35-year-old signed a two-year deal with Sydney but the club’s drop off in defence — rated sixth conceding 113.5 points per 100 possessions — has sparked question marks. The Kings remain in the top four — and a shot at a historic three-peat — but need to dramatically improve to make that dream a reality.

It’s a challenge that starts on Sunday at home against the in-form Perth Wildcats and the NBL’s best player Bryce Cotton.

PRIDE ROUND: MOST TAIPANS, HAWKS WEAR LOGO

Most Cairns and Illawarra players have chosen to wear the NBL’s Pride Round logo in their Thursday night clash.

But Taipans wings Bul Kuol and Lat Mayen and Hawks starters Gary Clark and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk have shunned the rainbow logo.

It’s a positive renewed approach to Pride Round for the Taipans, whose playing group, last year, boycotted the Champion-sponsored insignia as they rallied behind a small number of teammates who did not want to wear it, citing religious and cultural reasons.

The Taipans, on Thursday, announced they had partnered with Pride in Sport as part of the club’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and will play a third Pride game after the official round double (Brisbane on Sunday) at the Cairns Convention Centre on Sunday, January 21.

The Taipans opted not to wear the pride logo last season. Picture: Getty Images

“The club has been in regular communication with Pride in Sport since the NBL introduced this initiative and we are really pleased to partner with another community-focused, not-for-profit organisation. We appreciate the support and guidance Pride in Sport have provided us,” Taipans president Troy Stone said.

Crosscourt, earlier this week, asked all clubs if any players had advised they would not wear the Pride logo during the round, which shines a light on the LGBTQI+ community and aims to reinforce the NBL as a safe, inclusive space.

Eight of the 10 clubs said no players had advised they would not do so. Only the Hawks and Taipans would not confirm.

Hawks import Clark is in red hot form during the club’s resurgence but has faced off-court troubles after he was charged with driving under the influence and speeding.

The Daily Telegraph reported the 29-year-old was pulled over by police at Lottie, south of Sydney on Sunday, January 7. Clark’s licence was suspended and he will face court on February 29.

The Champion pride logo will be on the court this round. Picture: Getty Images

After a Basketball Australia integrity unit investigation, Clark avoided a ban by accepting a one-game suspended sanction and $4000 fine.

Last season, Sydney Kings import big man Tim Soares also opted against wearing the Pride logo due to his religious beliefs. Soares hails from Brazil and is the son of Christian missionaries.

Adelaide 36ers’ star Isaac Humphries, who has become a strong voice for the LGBTQI+ community since he came out as gay last year, hailed the pride round initiative.

“Apart from, first and foremost, wanting to live a life out of hiding, I came out with the hope of making basketball a safer space for LGBTQ+ people, so I hope we’re a step closer toward all people feeling like they can be themselves in this community,” Humphries said.

“Showing support and continued allyship not only for me but the entire community allows coaches, fellow players, owners, administrators, fans, and the media to make a significant difference for the many who still live silently in the closet.

“I’m very proud to play in a league that is willing to publicly celebrate my community and I know we all appreciate seeing some representation in an environment where it hasn’t always felt the most welcoming.”

VICKERMAN’S CALL ON CONCUSSION

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman believes a sharper in-game focus on player health is needed in the wake of Perth forward Kristian Doolittle’s scary head knock incident.

Doolittle suffered a concussion when he collided with Mitch Creek during the Wildcats’ clash with South East Melbourne, which left him dazed. The American’s struggles were noticed by broadcast commentator Pete Hooley but the Wildcats seemed unaware as he spent another nine minutes on court.

“Pete Hooley was all over it during the telecast and I got a chance to speak to (NBL chief operating officer) Vince (Crivelli) and just kind of ‘hey, it’s still (a) work on for us to make sure that we take care of our players and make sure that, if there’s knowledge or assessment from outside, that someone might not be right, (it’s) about how we stop the game and just check on people a little bit better,” Vickerman said.

Several of Dean Vickerman’s charges have dealt with concussion during his time at Melbourne United. Picture: Getty Images

“Each club is probably going to do it a little bit different but we’ve seen too many over the last few years that we’ve just got to make sure, in-game, that we do the right thing.”

Vickerman is speaking from experience. United has dealt with a string of concussions over several years, with the likes of Todd Blanchfield, Lachie Barker, David Barlow, Matthew Dellavedova and, more recently, Luke Travers and Shea Ili — who is out of Friday’s clash with Tasmania due to concussion — and the club’s high performance staff have become leaders in the field.

Vickerman said the learnings the club has taken from treating concussion has led to an extra layer of precaution at United where, once a player has gone through the league’s graduated return to play protocols (minimum six days) and are symptom free, they remain on the sidelines for an extra period of time.

Kristian Doolittle suffered concussion against South East Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Perth’s delay in noticing Doolittle’s concussion prompted former players to urge the NBL to follow the AFL’s lead and use a doctor in its replay centre as extra eyes. Among them, Wildcats legend Matt Knight, who suffered 15 concussions throughout his 10-year career and was forced to medically retire in 2017.

Perth confirmed Doolittle suffered a concussion against the Phoenix and is in doubt for Friday’s home game against Brisbane.

“Kristian is currently in our concussion return to play protocols,” a Wildcats spokesman said.

“He’s recovering well and completing the step-by-step program each day which is assessed on a case-by-case basis.”

The NBL provided Code Sports with a statement, confirming the league was investigating the incident.

“The NBL has a concussion protocol which it works closely on with the clubs. Part of that policy is reviewing situations where concussions occur, which includes the Kristian Doolittle concussion last Saturday night,” the statement read.

MASSIVE $132 MILLION BASKETBALL BOON OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The $132 million redevelopment of Victoria’s State Basketball Centre is officially open and, quite frankly, it is a triumph for the sport, not just for the state, but on a national level.

The 12-court redevelopment provides a new home for Basketball Australia, Basketball Victoria, Southside Flyers and South East Melbourne Phoenix, as well as other basketball-related organisations.

It will be a boon for the Australian set up as a state-of-the-art haven for the Boomers, Opals and junior national teams.

For the Phoenix, it unites a club that has spent its entire existence fragmented — players trained at SBC, went to the gym at another site in Knox and often had to do recovery and treatment off-site, while staff were situated in an office space about 10 minutes away.

“A major part of why the Phoenix were to be based in the South East of Melbourne was this facility, and after five years of work it’s incredible to see the final product,” Greer said.

“A big part of the week for the players and staff was commuting between multiple facilities for high performance requirements. That’s a thing of the past.”

NBL chief executive Dave Stevenson, at Tuesday’s official launch, said the Phoenix now had access to the best headquarters in the league.

NBL chief executive David Stevenson and South East Melbourne Phoenix boss Tommy Greer outside the new development at State Basketball Centre. Picture: SEM Phoenix Media

“It’s absolutely the best in class, I don’t think there’s any other home that integrates the community and the elite at such a scale, it’s going to give the South East Melbourne Phoenix a great platform for growth both on and off the court,” he said.

Both the Phoenix and Flyers now have access to an enormous strength and fitness gym and each club has its own permanent team changerooms and recreation facilities as well as on-site recovery pools and treatment rooms.

Work is underway to upgrade the existing six basketball courts, admin and function spaces but the big question, now, is when — or if — the mooted show court redevelopment will go ahead.

It will need to be much bigger than the current 3200-seat capacity if the Phoenix are to continue to play some home games there, given the club is now attracting an average of 7000 fans to home games in NBL24.

ðŸŽ¥ Take a behind the scene s look of the $132M redevelopment of the State Basketball Centre with our CEO Tommy Greer. ðŸ¤©

ðŸ“ Read More: https://t.co/cKqfiX1F9T pic.twitter.com/6WCMb3iPj2
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) January 16, 2024