Adelaide 36ers captain Dejan Vasiljevic has thrown his support behind the Adelaide Lightning lifeline

Imagine the AFL without the Adelaide Crows or Port Adelaide. Losing the women’s basketball team would be the equivalent for South Australia, says the Adelaide 36ers captain.

Dejan Vasiljevic says no Lightning in the WNBL would be like losing the Power or Crows from the AFL. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Adelaide 36ers captain Dejan Vasiljevic has thrown his support around the South Australian government’s WNBL rescue package, declaring that “women’s basketball is needed” in the state.

Currently on the road with the national team for the Trans-Tasman series, Vasiljevic says that the city without a women’s basketball team would be like if “Adelaide Crows weren’t there and it was only Port Adelaide or you know vice versa, it just doesn’t sit well.”

Adelaide is back in the WNBL for South Australia’s sake, according to the 36ers’ captain. Picture: Supplied

“During the AFL season it’s Port and the Crows and then when it’s basketball season it is the 36ers and the Lightning, that’s how it’s supposed to be,” Vasiljevic told Code Sports.

“We’re all basketball fanatics in this state.”

It’s unknown if the saved WNBL team in Adelaide will retain the Lightning name, but the Boomers star is adamant that a women’s basketball presence is needed for the next generation of talent.

“Adelaide Lightning have had a rich history and they deserve a team for the younger generation too,” he said.

“You look at someone like Isabel Borlase coming through, basketball is such a fast growing sport in Australia and a lot of women are playing it.

“So it’s great and important for the state of South Australia.”

Isobel Borlase has been a rising star for the Lightning. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Dejan Vasiljevic has invested in Step One with fellow Aussie Boomers. Picture: Supplied

Hitting pause on his offseason to represent the green and gold, Vasiljevic is yet to think too much about NBL26, but is looking forward to seeing what returning coach Mike Wells can do with a fresh slate leading into the new season.

“Last season was always going to be a bit up and down just because of what happened two weeks into pre-season and firing Scott Ninnis (former 36ers coach),” Vasiljevic said.

“That was a road bump pretty early on and we had to kind of manage things.

“But now Mike (Wells) has an offseason and he can actually pick his own team, he can work with Matt Weston (General Manager) on who to recruit.

“He can have his kind of time to figure out who he wants, who he doesn’t want and so forth.”

Mike Wells, head coach of the 36ers, during the 2025 NBL Play-In tournament. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

But until then, it’s all about the green and gold and building that bond with a Boomers side looking towards the FIBA Asia Cup in August.

And for “DJ”, he relationship with several of the Aussies extends beyond the court, in business with fellow Boomers Xavier Cooks, Nathan Sobey, Will Magnay and retired Jason Cadee, investing in the Step One underwear brand specialised for athletes.

“Everyone’s played against each other on this team so now it’s about coming together as one and playing for the green and gold, playing for the past and present players,” the Step One athlete said.

“Being on the road and travelling, you get to know people a lot better rather than just as a basketball player.

“So you’re just connecting, playing cards, talking s***, and that’s just what you want as a team.

“Then that translates a lot on the court as well.”

Originally published as Adelaide 36ers captain Dejan Vasiljevic has thrown his support behind the Adelaide Lightning lifeline