36ers to have three co-captains for the first time

The Adelaide 36ers will for the first time in the club’s history have three captains for the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season with Isaac Humphries and Bryce Cotton joining DJ Vasiljevic as co-captains.

Vasiljevic was first appointed club captain ahead of last season, guiding the side to its first NBL playoffs in seven years.

The Australian Boomers representative will play his 50^th club game in this Sunday’s season opener against Brisbane.

Humphries is the club’s longest serving player on the current roster having played 83 games in four seasons across two stints in Adelaide.

Cotton joined the Sixers in the off-season as one of the most decorated players in NBL history and will play his first official game for the club on Sunday.

Head Coach Mike Wells spoke highly of the trio and commended them for their leadership.

“As we worked on reshaping our team and our culture, having different types of leaders and guys who understand both the competition and our club has been so important, and so it just made sense for DJ, Isaac and Bryce to be our captains,” said Wells.

“DJ and Isaac are our two longest serving players at the moment and they understand where we’ve been as a club and what we’re trying to achieve.

“Bryce has been in the NBL for nine years and has so much respect from the playing and coaching group.

“We meet regularly and these guys have really taken ownership in a lot of areas on and off the court. It’s really exciting for us as a club to have such strong and positive leaders taking us into the season.”

Vasiljevic was grateful to continue in the role, and excited to do so with Humphries and Cotton by his side.

“It means a lot to me to be named to continue as captain of the Adelaide 36ers,” he said.

“This organisation has come a long way during my time in the competition. We now have a really connected and united group that I’m excited to lead, and it makes it even more special to do that next to Ice and Bryce.”

Humphries echoed Vasiljevic’s sentiments.

“DJ and Bryce are players I really admire for what they have been able to do on and off the court during their careers, so it means a lot to say that I’m a captain of this club alongside them,” Humphries said.

"Our leadership styles are all very different and I think we have found that they complement each other in the respective lanes that we like to work within. We have created a good dynamic in the leadership group to be able to cover all bases and it's very exciting to be a part of.

"The Adelaide 36ers have been a part of my life since 2020. I have fallen in love with this city, with the fans and with this club, and to be the longest serving Sixers player on this team and also be named as a captain is an incredible honour, and one that is tough to describe.

“I love to give my all to the city whether it's on or off the court and to be able to be recognized and hold that title is something I'll cherish forever."

Cotton was excited to team up with Vasiljevic and Humphries in his first season at the club.

“I’m only new to the group but I’ve seen the way DJ and Ice are respected within the organisation and right across the competition,” Cotton said.

“I’m probably not as vocal as those two so I’ll probably lead more with my actions than anything else.

“It is really special to me to be named as a captain of this club, and I’ll do my best to bring some success to the Adelaide 36ers.”

The 36ers will tip off their season against the Bullets at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre from 4:00pm on Sunday.