Decision time after two-day DP camp success

Selection time has now arrived for CJ Bruton and the Adelaide 36ers coaching staff after a successful two-day Development Player Tryout camp this week.

With over 20 players competing for the last three Development Player spots, competition was full on across four highly intense sessions.

Adelaide 36ers assistant coach Michael Lake said the talent on show across the two days has made the upcoming decisions a challenge.

“When we sit down after this there are a lot of names to discuss, so it’s a great problem to have,” Lake said.

“This is really unique, from my understanding not too many clubs around the league is doing this and something I know CJ (Bruton, head coach) has been pushing for, for quite a while now.

“So, it’s really exciting signs for basketball in South Australia and the 36ers.”

Lake, who runs the Adelaide 36ers Academy, was thrilled to see a lot of the players involved make the next step to the two-day camp.

“To see them being able to translate into the senior environment and hold their own has been really cool,” Lake said.

“Sometimes you have got to remember that these guys are in grade 11 and grade 12 and have the pressures of school.”

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One of the high school students at the camp was Fraser Roxburgh, and the NBL23 Development Player said the two-day tryout had a really good atmosphere within the group.

“It’s great, we have a bunch of guys here who I’ve met playing against them in NBL1 Central in my first year,” Roxburgh said.

“It’s been really competitive; a lot of guys are going for a few spots.”

Roxburgh, who is playing for West Adelaide Bearcats in the NBL1 Central competition, said the two sessions per day across both days were a great insight into what professional basketball is and what the selected players will expect in NBL24 and beyond.

“You just got to take care of your body and do all the little things right to prepare yourself,” Roxburgh said.

“I’m giving some guys some tips here and there, but they’re my enemy, I’m competing as well here, and I want to prove that I belong as well.

“I want to prove my point, play my game, get guys some looks.”

Eastern Mavericks point guard Jasper Rentoy said the two-day camp was his first experience at the next level, but really enjoyed the competitive nature of the sessions.

“It’s very unique for me and it’s a great job the club does of promoting development and giving us a chance to hopefully play at the next level,” Rentoy said.

“When you’re going twice a day you know you have to give it your best, but it’s for the love of the game.”

Rentoy said there was no ‘bad blood’ out on the court, but a lot of friendly banter across the group, who become rivals every weekend in the NBL1 Central competition.

“Especially the guys in my position or guys you’re going to play in the next couple of days or weeks, I’ll try and keep some mental notes for when I come up against those guys in the coming weeks.,” Rentoy said.

The Mavericks point guard said the mental side of the game was one key component he learnt across the two days.

“Being able to learn and take in new information and retain that across two days while battling fatigue and still be able to produce has been the challenge,” Rentoy said.

The club will announce the final three Development Player signings within the coming weeks.