28 hours in transit: Rakocevic just getting started in Adelaide

New recruit Nick Rakocevic says he’ll only improve with more time around the group, following a promising first showing in Adelaide 36ers colours.

Rakocevic was signed late last month and only arrived in Australia on Wednesday, a little over 24 hours before the side’s win over Cairns.

He was desperate to take to the court, finishing with eight points and eight rebounds off limited game time, but showed why the Sixers were so keen to bring him in to support Isaac Humphries in the big man stakes.

Rakocevic was coming off 28 hours in transit from his home in the United States and admitted to having heavy legs.

Speaking after training with the group back in Adelaide on Tuesday, the Serbian junior international promised he would build his fitness and understanding of the group, doing anything he could to help the side succeed.

“I could still use some conditioning stuff,” he explained. “You know, my last game in Puerto Rico was the end of May so it's been a while since I played in an actual game, but I think it's just a couple more practises, maybe one more game, and I'll be ready to go.

“(But) it was super, super beneficial (to get some minutes against the Taipans), you know, and when I talked to Coach about it before the game, he asked me if I wanted to play or how I felt, and I just wanted to get in there and, you know, just gel with the guys.

“I didn't know any of the offence or anything like that. We had just one shoot around that I had, and I was like ‘let me just go in there, gel with the guys, you know, just get up and down, too.’ I wanted to move my legs just because of the flights and things like that.

“Not only did I get a lot from that, but also, like, the guys they got a lot from just kind of seeing how I play and stuff like that.

“It gets better and better, each practice so, you know, tomorrow is going to be better than today.”

Still just 27, Rakocevic boasts an impressive college career and a resume that includes stints in China, Lebanon, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

At 211cm and with plenty of size and agility, he is able to play in either the four or five positions.

While he hasn’t been in town long, he has seemingly fit in well culturally and admits knowing a few Australian players and people who have played in the NBL has helped.

“Isaac White, DJ (Vasiljevic), you know, Matt Kenyon, all of them, really, they've just been really welcoming and just anything I need, they just say just hit me up whenever.

“I love the town so far, you know. It's a little cold out here, but, you know, I'm from Chicago, so I'm used to it.

“I’ve (also) got a lot of good friends who play in the NBL - Milton Doyle is one of them.

“I grew up with him in Chicago, so, you know, I watched him play out here for years and then I got to play with two guys on the same team, actually, Jordan Hunter and Nathan Sobey were both on my team in Puerto Rico so I knew about the league, but, Australia as a place, when I was driving on the right side of the road, it kind of freaked me out so I'm still getting used to it, but no, it's been great so far.”

He also played against star Sixers signing Bryce Cotton during their time in Puerto Rico and feels fortunate to play with him now.

“Man, he's special,” Rakocevic said.

“He's had a great career here. He's been incredible and, you know, I'm really excited to play with him, but especially the game that I saw up close in person on the bench, it's amazing how he could just score and facilitate how he can and just get everybody else involved.

“He's a true leader… and off the court he’s such a great guy. A humble dude, and, you know, it was just really exciting to play with somebody with that calibre.”

Sixers fans will get their first chance to see Rakocevic live in action at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday night when the side does battle with Tasmania from 7:00pm.

Limited tickets are still available.