Aliir's off-season move sparks NBL dream

A random conversation with head coach CJ Bruton after a morning training session has justified Akech Aliir’s move to South Australia.

The 200cm forward/centre is one of the four NBL24 Development Players, who were announced this week.

Aliir said he didn’t know whether to believe Bruton when he told him the good news a couple of weeks ago.

“CJ just come up and told me after one of the trainings we have been having during the off-season,” Aliir said.

“He said it really casually, so I didn’t know it was true at first, but it’s exciting now.”

The half brother of Port Adelaide AFL star defender Aliir Aliir, Aliir won the NBL1 East championship with Canberra Gunners in 2022 before moving to Adelaide last summer when he signed on to play with North Adelaide Rockets in the NBL1 Central competition.

“The move to Adelaide, it’s been worth it now, but it’s not done yet, this is just the beginning,” Aliir said.

“I don’t think I did that well at the camp, but I’m glad they chose me.”

Bruton said Aliir did impress him at the two-day Development Player camp last month and is excited with what the big man has to offer.

“He has a tremendous upside after making the move to the NBL1 Central,” Bruton said.

“He’s been flat out outstanding for North, and he’s added a lot to their team success so far this year.

“The potential Akech has we believe is off the charts, he can play multiple positions.

“We look forward to seeing him develop and harnessing and growing into his career.”

Aliir said there will be no added pressure on his shoulders going into the final month of the NBL1 Central season, with the Rockets vying for a playoff berth.

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“It’s fine, this is not going to change the way I play,” Aliir said.

“All I want to do is play, and win.”

The NBL1 Central’s second-best rebounder at 11.4 per match, Aliir is excited for NBL24, where he will be guarding Isaac Humphries “every day for six months”.

“I just want to get better, to learn and see where it goes, I hope to do this for a while,” Aliir said.

“That’s going to be tough, it’s a good opportunity, I can’t wait.”

The NBL24 pre-season starts later this month.