Bruton 'exploring all options' on import search

Adelaide 36ers head coach CJ Bruton said the club is exploring all options in the search for a third import for the NBL23 season.

Bruton said the chemistry of the team, which has won two of their past three matches since the roster change, is paramount moving forward.

“We need to talk to our team and see where we are at and continue to keep building on what we need to continue to work on so we can be successful and be a chance to be in the hunt for the playoffs,” Bruton said.

“I can’t give you an update as my focus has been these past three road games.”

Bruton said he and his coaching staff have been inundated with names of players from across the world and they would be making a shortlist in the coming days.

“While I’ve had over 60 names come across my desk. I haven’t looked at many of them,” Bruton said.

“My staff has looked at them, and everyone is calling every other day asking ‘what do you think of my player?’ but my job is to focus on our team and come up with this game plan to be successful.

“After I talk to the group and say ‘here’s a few names, what do you think?’ and ask do we need it at this time, we will see where we are at.”

Bruton said the club is in no rush to sign a third import and have time to make the right decision.

“They have to play seven games to qualify, so we will just leave it at that,” Bruton said.

“When you’re missing players, it kind of hurts, but as you see the depth of our team, everyone can play and everyone can contribute.

“If we bring someone in here, it takes away something from someone I have already got that you won’t see much of and then everyone is wondering ‘why don’t you play that guy?’

“There’s only so many times you can play so many players. We have 11 on a roster, before it was 10 and you don’t play all 10 every time.”