The Adelaide 36ers have signed USA forward Eric Jacobsen to their final import position of the season with Head Coach Joey Wright confident he is the right fit for the side.

Jacobsen who is 208cm tall and 108 kg is a recent college graduate from Arizona State University Sun Devils from Chandler, Arizona. He played in the 2016 NBA Summer League for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played an average of 9.1 mpg, 67% FT and scored an average of 3.4 ppg.

Jacobsen in his senior year at Arizona State University started and played in all 32 games during the (2015-2016) season. Led ASU by shooting 57.6% FG, making (91-158) total field goals. Finished 1st on the Sun Devils’ roster with 31 total blocks. Collected a team-high 72 offensive rebounds. Averaged 7.7 PPG, scoring 245 total points in his senior season. Grabbed 5.1 RPG with 163 total rebounds, finishing 4th on ASU’s team. Played 22.6 MPG, earning 722 total minutes of game action. Led ASU in charges drawn during the (2014-15 and 2015-16) seasons.

Head Coach Joey Wright said he first scouted him during his early NBA Summer League games, “He looked like he had the tools and attributes that I felt our team needed.”

“He brings energy and effort, low post threat and from what I’ve seen, is a great team guy,” Wright commented, “I feel confident that we have found a great player who will fit in very well with the team.”

Adelaide 36ers CEO Guy Hedderwick heard about Jacobsen through Wright while he was in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the NBL.” Hedderwick commented.

Jacobsen said, “I feel very blessed that I am be able to continue my basketball career in Australia. It is a place that I have always wanted to visit because of how nice everyone says it is there and now that I have the opportunity to play and live it has me very excited for this coming season.”

When Eric isn’t at the court training, he says he enjoys “spending time with friends and family doing things that are memorable. I also like hiking, camping, golf and other sports I pretend to be good at. I also am a fan of new movies and playing video games.

“My favourite part of the game is the competitiveness and the comradery that the game brings. I enjoy going to battle with my teammates and working together to beat the other team.

“My goal is to keep getting better every year I play and pray that I will be able to play many more years of my life.“

Jacobsen commented about playing for Coach Wright, “I am really excited to play for Coach Wright. When I met him in Las Vegas and went through a short workout with him I knew that he was a great coach and a good man so I have nothing but positive thoughts about coming to play for him.”

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ferguson moved to Dallas, Texas as a youth and enrolled at Prime Prep Academy. He joined the school’s basketball team and played for coach Ray Forsett.

As a freshman in 2012–13, Ferguson averaged 10 points per game and helped his team to a 38–2 record, the 2013 NACA Division I Tournament title, and the 2013 National High School Invitational semi-finals. He was named to the NACA All-Tournament Team and earned NACA Tournament MVP honours.

Ferguson was a member of the USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team that posted a 5–0 record. Winning gold at the 2013 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Maldonado, Uruguay. Ferguson played in all five games and averaged 5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

The following year, he was a member of the USA U17 World Championship Team that posted a 7–0 record and captured the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship gold medal in Dubai. Ferguson played in all seven games (with four starts) and averaged 9.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

In July 2015, Ferguson won his third gold medal in as many years after helping Team USA go 7–0 at the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Heraklion, Greece. He played in all seven games and averaged 6.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

Heading into his senior year of high school, Ferguson was ranked No. 10 overall in the ESPN 100.He averaged 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for Advanced Prep in 2015–16, earning a trip to the McDonald’s All-American Game.

The 208cm forward has led the 2015/16 Sun Belt Conference in scoring, averaging 19 points per game.

He has also led the Sun Belt in blocks (1.9) third in offensive rebounds (5.3) and fifth in three-point field goal percentage (42).

Deng finished sixth in the US in scoring among internationally-born players.

After coming to Australia in 2006 as a refugee, Deng was recruited to play college basketball after impressing in the Australian U20 Grand Final, and playing locally with the Forestville Eagles.

2015-16 All-Conference First-Team
2015-16 Sun Belt All-Tournament Team
2015-16 NABC All-District 24 First-Team
2015-16 All-Louisiana First-Team
2014-15 All-Conference Third-Team
2014-15 All-Louisiana Third-Team
2014-15 College Sports Madness All-SBC Second-Team

Anthony Drmic has just signed a 2 year contract with the Wilson Adelaide 36ers. Drmic from Melbourne Victoria is a recent graduate from Boise State University in Idaho where he studied Communications.

Anthony is no stranger to the NBL, his older brother Frank Drmic played in the NBL with South East Melbourne Magic, Victoria Titans, Sydney Kings and South Dragons from 1996 – 2007 and won a NBL Championship with the South East Melbourne Magic in 1996.

Anthony finished his collegiate career as the Boise State all-time 3 point record holder, the school games record holder, 2 points shy of the school’s all-time leading scorer, and at number 5 on the Mountain West Conference all-time scoring list.

He has represented Australia at Under 18 and Under 19 levels and is regarded as a Boomers prospect of the future.
This season, he averaged 13.6 points per game, shooting the three at 34% and 57% for 2 point field goals, and 4.5 rebounds per game.

“I am really excited about the up-coming season and being a 36er! I’m also looking forward to playing in front of one of the best fan bases in the league” Drmic commented.

Drmic spoke about his love for basketball and future ambitions, “Being able to compete, there is nothing I love more than testing yourself, both mentally and physically out on the court. I want to one day play in the NBA, it’s obviously a lot of players dream, but we will see how it pans out.”

Head Coach Joey Wright said that he’s watched Anthony since he was in the under 16’s, “I have admired his work ethic and desire to win. He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. He has an uncanny ability to score points and competes on defensive end as well.”

Drmic says, “I’m really excited to be playing for such a seasoned and well established coach, who really is a player’s coach. Joey did a great job recruiting me, I really feel like I will be able to contribute and help the team right off the bat.”

When Anthony is not on the court training, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and gaming on his PC. Once he settles into Adelaide, he will be bringing his girlfriend, Jenna and Golden Retriever, Owen with him. Drmic says, that he is very excited about coming back to Australia. “It’s felt like forever since I have been home. My family is especially eager to see me play live again!”

Mitch joined the Adelaide 36ers prior to the 2010/11 season, and was a former scholarship holder at the Australian Institute Sport. In 2010 he played 14 games for the AIS in the SEABL averaging 14.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 20%, FT: 47.7%.

Mitch was selected in the Australian Boomers Squad for the 2012 London Olympics. He was a member of the Australian U18 National Team (Emus) in 2010. He played with the Emus at the Albert Schweitzer International Tournament in Mannheim in 2010 and was tournament MVP.

Member of the Victoria Country team at the Under-18 National Championships and earned a place at the prestigious Nike All-Asia Camp in Beijing, China.

Mitch snapped his Achilles in the 2012/13 iiNet NBL Championship Round 11 clash against Townsville Crocs which saw him miss most of the 2012/13 season.

The athletic Creek took big steps in the 2013/14 season, adding great energy off the bench. He made his NBL return in the 36ers opening game of the season, scoring 10 points in an 83-80 away loss to the Perth Wildcats at Perth Arena. Creek, who played 16:35 from the bench against the Wildcats, showed no ill-effects from his Achilles injury. Before the start of the 2014/15, Creek signed a 2 year contract with the club with an option for a 3rd season.

Born in Carnarvon (located approximately 900 km north of Perth) to Craig and Carolyn Johnson, Johnson has three siblings, Josh, Courtnee and Jess, and attended Willetton Senior High School in Perth, graduating in 2005. He also played basketball for the Willetton Tigers in the State Basketball League. From there he accepted a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport, and while at the AIS helped his team win the King Club International Cup and was named the tournament MVP averaging 22 points per game. While attending the AIS he also represented Australia at the 2007 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Serbia helping the Emus to 5th place overall with an 8-1 tournament record averaging 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

At the 2007 Under 20 Nationals, Johnson averaged 24.3 points and 12.8 rebounds per game and was named in the Tournament All-Star Five team. Johnson was the tournament’s second highest scorer behind future NBA player and Boomers star Patty Mills.

The 212cm Centre/Forward, was named in the NBL’s All Star Five last season and was one of the league’s leading scorers averaging 19.6ppg and 7 rebounds per game.

Johnson, 27, first joined the 36ers in 2010 after beginning his NBL career with the Melbourne Tigers. The 212cm (6’11”) centre soon blossomed to become one of the best big men in the NBL.

Daniel won the clubs MVP Award three seasons straight from 2011-2014 and last season was recruited to Stelmet Zielona Gora in the Polish Basketball League, however struggling to adapt to lifestyle and with injury to BJ Anthony, Johnson was able to return to the Sixers line-up for the latter part of the 2014/15 NBL season. In the 2013/14 season DJ lead the 36ers scoring with 19.6ppg and 7rpg and was a big reason the team made the Grand Final series that season.

Immediately after the season Johnson was hit with a bout of pneumonia and was hospitalised for several weeks. ‘DJ’ has now made a full recovery and is this week signed with the Wellington Saints in the NZNBL and will harness his skills in New Zealand before heading back for pre-season under 36ers coach Joey Wright. “Obviously it’s great to have a player of DJ’s quality here for the next three seasons, he’s one of the best scoring big guys in the NBL” said Wright.

Brendan joins the Adelaide 36ers after being a member of the Townsville Crocodiles squad during the 2012/13 season. Teys had previously played under current head coach Joey Wright as a member of the Gold Coast Blaze from 2009-2012 as a Development Player.

During 2012/13, Teys suited up for Townsville on two occasions. In the off-season, Teys was a surprise selection in the initial Sino Australia Challenge Squad.

In the 2013/14 NBL Final series he stopped Melbourne Tigers scoring machine Chris Goulding in the semi’s and had a Grand Final series against Perth that stamped him as a quality NBL player.

Outside of the NBL, Teys has taken the court for the South West Metro Pirates in the QBL.

Current career high in the NBL is 17 points, on the 30th March 2014 vs Melbourne Tigers.

Hodgson, 23, was born in Booval, Queensland and played college ball at Southern Utah University before transferring to the St Mary’s Gael’s for his final 2 years.

The 211cm centre has signed a two year agreement with the 36ers and is excited to be part of Joey’s roster. “I can’t wait to get to Adelaide and work with Joey.” said Hodgson, “I’m ready to take the next step in my development as a player and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot playing alongside Daniel Johnson and Anthony Petrie.”

A development player with Melbourne United last season, he spent most of the season recovering from a torn meniscus in his knee, but is keen to hit the court running this season.

“Matty is a big body and works very hard defensively, we will look for him to come off the bench and play some important minutes for us” said Joey Wright.

Nathan Sobey was one of two Cowboys to start all 33 games for Wyoming during the 2013-14 campaign. He averaged 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.2 minutes per game. He shot 43 percent from the field and 26 percent beyond the arc to notch 13 double-figure point games, including two contests with more than 20 points. He was fourth on the team in points, while ranking third in rebounds and assists. He scored in double figures in six of Wyoming’s last eight games, including two career-best efforts. Sobey’s top performance was a career-high 33 points to go with four rebounds and three assists on Senior Day against Colorado State on March 8. He also notched 26 points and seven rebounds versus Fresno State on Feb. 18, including a 15-of-17 performance at the free throw line. His 15 free throws tied for 10th on Wyoming’s single-game free-throws made chart and ranked fifth in Arena-Auditorium history.

Sobey joined the Ballarat Miners upon his return to Australia and impressed with 17.2 points, 2.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game in 17 games. He garnered SEABL Player of the Week honours in August, 2014 posting identical stat lines of 28 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists in consecutive outings to help the Miners consolidate fourth place on the East Men Ladder.

Sobey, signed as a rookie with the Cairns Taipans last season and was added to the full roster later in the season.

His key attributes are his quickness, athletic ability and a ‘get after it’ defender.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Adelaide. I think playing under Joey will be great for my development and his style suits the way I play.” said Sobey.

“Nathan will bring a lot of energy to our team and given the opportunity I believe he can develop into a quality NBL player” said Joey Wright.