Crosscourt column: Scott Ninnis given the 36er golden seal of approval, potential NBL Next Star’s big decision and much more

One of the most respected figures in Adelaide basketball than Phil Smyth - and the godfather of the 36ers has urged the NBL not to fumble their coaching search. And there’s one crucial condition.

The Adelaide 36ers’ longest serving and most successful mentor Phil Smyth has anointed interim Scott Ninnis as the coach to lead the 36ers into the future.

Ninnis is edging closer to securing the top job after reigniting the 36ers’ season since taking over from the sacked CJ Bruton in early December.

The former 36ers guard has the backing of multiple club legends, including Smyth, who believes officials should reward his ex-championship-winning player for his significant role in the club’s turnaround at the back end of the season.

“Scott’s record since taking it over makes it difficult not to give him a contract for a year,” said Adelaide-born Smyth, who coached the 36ers for 11 seasons, winning three NBL championships.

“He has the team playing as well as you could ask, but the club has made some mistakes with previous coaches and long-term contracts.

Scott Ninnis has stepped in as the 36ers’ interim coach. Photo: Getty

“If I was in their position, I would offer Scotty a one-year deal with a promise that if he made

the finals he was guaranteed another year.

“It doesn’t mean if he missed out on the finals that he wouldn’t be extended as there may be injuries, but it just gives the club more flexibility than they’ve had in the past.”

It comes the NBL’s most successful mentor Brian Goorjian will listen to a coaching pitch from Adelaide.

Crosscourt understands Goorjian already has multiple offers from Asia, but he has an open mind when it comes to approaches from NBL clubs.

The Australian Boomers mentor recently returned from a trip to Dubai, so it will be fascinating to see if Adelaide officials reach out to him now he is back home.

Melbourne United assistant coach Jacob Chance has also been linked to the 36ers’ coaching role.

For now, Ninnis remains in the box seat for Adelaide’s top job given his record and the fact he is a local, which is historically a common path for the South Australian club.

36ers CEO Nic Barbato spoke to ESPN at halftime during Friday’s game and revealed there will be no decision made on the coach until the end of the season.

“Scotty’s done a great job to get us to this point … he’s done a really good job,” Barbato said.

“But those discussions will go on post the season and I think we’ll make the right choice.”

Phil Smyth (front left) has backed Scott Ninnis (back right) to take the Adelaide job full-time. Picture: AAP

Ninnis confirmed he is comfortable with Adelaide officials pushing a decision on the full-time coaching role until after the season.

He is locked in on the 36ers’ run home to a potential top six finish.

“Right now, we’re happy to leave it (the coaching job) until the end of the season,” he said.

“We don’t want the distractions now.

“My dialogue with the club – with Grant Kelley and Nic Barbato – has been very open and honest all the way through.

“We want to keep winning games and push to be in the finals. That will take care of itself.”

THE NBL’S NO.1 FOUL ARTIST UNMASKED

Abdel Nader’s third disqualification in seven games against Melbourne United added to his ignominy as the NBL’s No.1 foul artist and left the few available South East Melbourne players to fight on when they desperately needed him.

Nader’s played seven of a possible 11 games since his mid-season arrival at the Phoenix and is leading the league in fouls at 4.14 per game.

Already down to nine men against top-of-the-table United on Saturday night — and without their three most important players in Mitch Creek, Alan Williams and Gary Browne — it was always going to be a near-impossible task for the Phoenix.

They needed Nader to lead the way.

Abdel Nader has become the NBL’s No.1 foul artist. Photo: Getty

But, while his numbers looked OK on paper — 18 points and 4 rebounds that kept the Phoenix afloat – the gifted wing rattled up five fouls in just 18 minutes, bowing out with three minutes to go in the third quarter courtesy of an unsportsmanlike foul for an ill-advised tug of United forward Tanner Krebs’ jersey.

Nader watched from the pine as his eight functional teammates put up a spirited fight but fell 99-83.

As Nader walked to the bench, the former Phoenix Sun compounded his woes when he was slapped with a technical foul for a demonstrative protest at the referees.

He could have avoided it all, had he not grabbed an opponent’s jersey while on four fouls.

There was a sense of frustration in Phoenix coach Mike Kelly when asked about Nader, postgame.

“That’s pretty much automatic if you grab someone’s shirt,” Kelly said.

Mike Kelly expressed his frustrations at the latest incident. Picture: Getty

“We’re down 25 or whatever and he fouls out and gets a tech.

“I was happy that he got 18 minutes in because it’s been a really rough year for him and, I think, for us, in some respects.

“I know he can play a lot better than he played tonight so I’m hopeful he will in the next couple of weeks.”

The Phoenix took a flyer on Nader when they parted ways with import Will Cummings.

But it hasn’t quite worked out how both sides might have hoped.

When he landed in the Heartland in December, Nader hadn’t appeared in a professional game in over two years due to lingering knee issues.

He began brightly and looked like he’d have an impact, the highlight a 20-point effort in an upset win over the JackJumpers in Tasmania.

But a hand injury he’s struggled to shake — and the running issues with the NBL’s referees — have curtailed the 30-year-old’s influence.

KINGS’ HAWKS CLASH SET TO DECIDE FATE

Sydney’s season – and the future of coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah – will go on the line when the Kings host the high-flying Illawarra Hawks on Sunday.

The Kings have dropped to fifth position with two rounds remaining, placing enormous pressure on their championship defence.

Sydney is the worst team in the league in giving up the ball – averaging 14 turnovers per game.

The Kings’ defensive rating of 113.9 is third worst in the league; only Phoenix and Breakers are worst. Last season, Sydney’s defensive rating was 105.4, third best in the league.

The Kings could slide to seventh position if they lose to Illawarra, which would also be problematic for coach Abdelfattah.

Mahmoud Abdelfattah is under serious pressure to keep his job at the Kings. Photo: Getty

As revealed by Crosscourt, Sydney seriously weighed up sacking its coach until an official stepped in.

A loss to the Hawks might leave Kings officials with no option but to pull the trigger at season’s end.

DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH ON ROMAN’S BIG DECISION

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s lips at the U20 National Championships was what freakish Queenslander Roman Siulepa’s next move would be.

But, if the 17-year-old, who has been on NBL Next Star radars for years, is feeling any pressure to make a call on the next step in his basketball journey, you wouldn’t know it.

“I’m still at school, I’m just having fun, playing basketball, doing my life and just keeping all my options open,” Siulepa, who has led Queensland to the gold-medal game, said.

“I want to finish school first.”

It’s a sentiment he’s echoed from mouth of veteran Adelaide 36ers points guard and mentor Jason Cadee who is helping the Brisbane State High School student navigate his path into the pro ranks.

“Roman’s family came to me to ask some questions and I’ve helped them make some decisions on certain things and just spoken to him as much as possible,” Cadee told Crosscourt.

What are #NBL24 clubs looking for when they scout Australian basketball's next gen?@MickRandallHS and @mattlogue7 take you inside the recruiting strategies in Crosscourt: https://t.co/0t4inkHBSbpic.twitter.com/C4ibVFFxqG

— Courier Mail Sport (@cmail_sport) February 2, 2024

“I’ve tried to let him know he’s just a kid and it’s all right to be that.

“He doesn’t have to make any grand decisions right now and, when the time is right, those things can take place.”

Former Boomer and Queensland U20 coach Peter Crawford believes Siulepa could impact an NBL team right now.

“He’s ready to go pro, he’s at that level,” Crawford said.

“There’s no other athlete at his age who could slip in and compete straight away.

“Every NBL program would love to have him.”

Siulepa has wowed those in Ballarat, producing 23.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists as a bottom-ager, with a monster 34-point, 10-rebound effort against Tasmania to book Queensland’s spot in the final against Victoria.

JUNIOR HOOPS OPEN TO 21-DAY CONCUSSION STANCE

Basketball Australia has applauded the AIS for its proactive stance on concussion in junior sport, confirming hoops will consider the recommended 21-day stand down.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) recently released guidelines for youth and community sport designed to change the way concussion is managed.

Among the recommendations, the report suggested that players should wait a minimum of 21 days after being concussed to return to competition.

Perth’s Kristian Doolittle takes a moment after copping a head knock. Photo: Getty

At present, Basketball Australia’s policy states: “Children should not return to contact/collision activities before 14 days from complete resolution of all concussion symptoms.”

However, a spokesperson from BA confirmed the AIS’s 21-day recommendation will be considered.

“Together with our State and Territory members we will review the AIS proposed guidelines,” the statement said.

“This is a comprehensive report that is focused on an issue that affects young people who play sport and we commend the AIS on this focus.

“Basketball Australia is committed to ensure that our sport is safe for participants of all ages and abilities.”

The 21-day stand down recommendation for junior sport is unlikely to be adopted on the professional stage.

The NBL’s Graduated Return to Play policy is a minimum of six days, but strictly states that the six stages to return to competition could take at least 24 hours or longer.

This policy has been successful, as shown via Melbourne United’s thorough approach to concussion issues involving guard Shea Ili and Matthew Dellavedova.

However, former Perth Wildcat Matt Knight believes there is scope for further improvement.

Knight suffered 15 concussions throughout his 10-year career, forcing him to medically retire in 2017. The ex-Wildcats big man still suffers from headaches and is fearful of a future involving memory loss.

Knight would like to see the NBL adopt a mandatory 12-day stand down for concussion.

He was recently surprised to see Perth import Kristian Doolittle remain on the court for nine minutes after copping a head knock during the Wildcats’ round 15 win over the Phoenix.

Doolittle returned to the court seven days after suffering concussion, but passed all the tests according to the club. There is yet to be a clear explanation why Doolittle remained on the court for nine minutes before he was removed.

Originally published as Crosscourt column: Scott Ninnis given the 36er golden seal of approval, potential NBL Next Star’s big decision and much more