“A match made in heaven”
Written By
Adelaide 36ers Media
New recruit Zylan Cheatham has revealed it was he who reached out wanting to join the Adelaide 36ers, after watching the club’s roster build from afar.
Cheatham this week signed with the 36ers for NBL26, hoping to bring his trademark energy and athleticism to Adelaide.
The club, through coach Mike Wells, had made contact with the 29-year-old forward last season but he opted to sign in Japan with Nagoya Diamond Dolphins.
Speaking with Adelaide 36ers Media, Cheatham explained that after playing every game of a 60-game season in Japan, he returned to the United States to consider his next move, and Adelaide was soon front of mind, thanks to some key signings.
“As soon as Coach Mike took over (last year), he was pretty hard on my heels about me coming out there and me being a part of the team, but I was kind of decided at that point, and, I mean, I had a good opportunity in Japan that I ended up going with, so it was no hard feelings,” Cheatham said.
“We kept in touch. I mean, we’ve got history together, so we kept in touch and then this year actually, once I found out I wasn't going back to Japan, I'm sitting on my Instagram just kind of scrolling and I see that Bryce Cotton signs and I know that's a pretty big deal.
“Man, that's big time, and then Trez (Harrell) signs and it was just kind of like, hmm, that's a very interesting thing.
“They had a really good year this year. I watched a lot of the games this year, but that, that was very intriguing, so I took it upon myself and texted coach Mike.
“I was like, ‘hey man, how's it going? I see you shaking up the league’ and at that point, he didn't even know I was available to be recruited, so it ended up working out for me. It got me on his radar and it just worked out perfectly.”
Cheatham has previously had stints playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, in the NBA with Utah and New Orleans, as well as in the NBA G-League with Birmingham, Salt Lake City and Iowa.
Yet the experienced 6’8 big man has never taken the first step in signing with a club.
“I have a relationship with coaches that I've played for and stuff like that, but, it was usually always after the season my agent kind of lets me know XYZ is looking to sign me and we usually weigh those options and go about it,” he explained.
“But this year is a little bit unique and I think that that that's gonna say something in the long run.”
Having crossed paths with Wells during a 10-day stint with Utah in 2022, Cheatham had maintained a relationship with his fellow American.
It meant when they got to talking about a move to Adelaide, Cheatham was immediately at ease.
“It's kind of one of those things, when you meet good people and certain personalities just kind of stick and we kinda kept in contact over the years and he ended up getting that head coaching job and I was one of the first guys he hit up and that obviously meant something to me,” Cheatham explained.
“When I was with Team USA, two of our coaches on that staff were directly on his staff so it was always just that kind of indirect but direct communication between me and him and, I mean, once we got to talk, once he got to Adelaide, it felt really natural, honestly.
“I mean, the things we talked about and just the way he goes about things, he seems like a player's coach and seems like a very relatable guy, and he was that when I was in Utah too, so, some things don't change, so it just kind of felt natural for me.”
THE VISION
While being comfortable with the coach was one thing, it was the vision presented to Cheatham by Well and General Manager of Basketball Operations, Matt Weston that sealed the move.
“We haven't got too far into details,” Cheatham smiled. “Obviously everything kind of happened pretty fast even for (Mike)… but, a big thing that was talked about was just changing the culture and getting the right guys in the system, and getting guys that are high character guys, high level competitors, good guys on and off the floor, and kind of changing the narrative of Adelaide basketball.
“The basketball side we’ll figure that out with reps and time and practice and stuff, but it's important to get those group of guys in that can gel together and that can, you know, find a way to mesh and compete.”
“Obviously Matt Weston, he has a high-level vision for what he sees this program being and from the things he says and the things that he wants to do, it sounds like this is a match made in heaven for me.
“I got a great respect for Adelaide, and I'm very invested and interested to see what the beaches are like, and see what the city is like, and the culture and stuff, so I can't wait for my family and I to experience it.”
WHAT TO EXPECT
Despite his impressive resume, Cheatham presents as confident but humble – a family man excited to bring his partner and infant son on a new adventure.
He knows the NBL through his time with New Zealand in NBL24 and is excited to front up at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre wearing the home colours this time.
When asked about what supporters can expect from him, he is typically reluctant to indulge but his highlights reel will give people a sense of the end-to-end energy, explosiveness and atheticism he will bring.
“I like to go on without expectations, but the things that I pride myself on are just being a high energy guy, leaving it all out on the floor every time I'm able to compete,” he said.
“I've been blessed to play this game at a high level for a long time, so, for me, I mean, I don't take a moment for granted.
“I'm just one of those guys that will run through a wall for my organisation, run through a wall for my head coach and for my teammates and I don't plan on that changing this year.
“I hold myself accountable at a high level and hold those around me accountable also, and I expect to win every floor.
“I'm bringing a high-level competitive nature, defensive and offensive versatility, and just a passion for the game. I really love basketball, I genuinely love what I do and I hope I can show our fans that I really love this every night.”
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