From Forestville to Frankston: Sixers getting it done in NBL1

With the NBL1 season nearing its close across the country, a host of Adelaide 36ers have posted some exceptional numbers.

While Keanu Rasmussen has rightly claimed headlines in NBL1 Central for his award-winning season, there was no shortage of others doing good things.

The club’s imports Bryce Cotton, Montrezl Harrell and Zylan Cheatham have opted to play overseas during the NBL off-season or to have a break, while Flynn Cameron has been playing for the Franklin Bulls in the NBLNZ and Isaac Humphries has opted to rest and keep fit at home.

But, playing in four different states, all of the other 36ers excelled, and some will continue on in finals.

Here is a wrap up of our 36ers in the NBL1.

NBL1 Central

Keanu Rasmussen 
West Adelaide Bearcats

Young gun Keanu Rasmussen had an incredible season with the Bearcats. The 22-year-old ranked in the top five in the competition in all key metrics and led the league in several key stats including points (23.67 points per game), assists (5.44), free throws made (4.50), and steals (2.22). It saw him win the Woollacott Medal as the Fairest and Most Brilliant player in the competition as well as both the Coaches’ MVP and Frank Angove Award as the best player under 23.

His West Adelaide side will face Woodville in a Semi Final on Saturday night.

Ben Griscti
Sturt Sabres

Griscti’s Sturt Sabres probably didn’t have the season they would have liked, losing four of their last five matches to finish seventh on the ladder and miss out on finals, but the 23-year-old played all 18 games and rated highly in their key metrics. He averaged 16.22 points per game to have him ranked third of all Sturt players and led the club for blocks (0.67 per game) and rebounds (9.39). His 9.39 rebounds per game had him ranked inside the top five for the NBL1 Central competition.

DJ Vasiljevic
Forestville Eagles

Vasiljevic only played 13 games for Forestville because of a European trip away and a stint with the national side but still finished in the NBL1 Central’s top five for points (3^rd overall averaging 22.31 per game) and free throws made (second with 4.77). He averaged 4.38 assists per game as well as 4.23 rebounds to help the Eagles to the top of the ladder with 16 wins from their 18 games.

Forestville will take on Central District on Saturday night in a Semi Final.

Deng Manyang
Central District Lions

Still just 17 years-old, Manyang averaged nearly 20 minutes of court time in his 14 games for Central District in his first season in the NBL1 Central competition. He averaged 10.64 points per game and finished in the top five for his club for rebounds (5.07 per game) and blocks (0.57 per game).

Having missed the last month while in the US playing on the Pro16 junior circuit, Manyang is back and will be looking to play his part for the second placed Lions when they face DJ Vasiljevic’s Forestville Eagles in a Semi Final on Saturday night.

NBL1 West

Isaac White
Rockingham Flames

Averaging 30.67 points per game for the top of the table Rockingham Flames, Isaac White has had a fair season. His points average has him ranked second in NBL1 West while he led the competition for free throws made with 7.67 per game. He also averaged six assists per game and 6.76 rebounds.

The Flames have only lost three of their 21 games going into the final game of the season this Friday night against Lakeside Lightning. A win will guarantee top spot heading into the NBL1 West finals.

NBL1 North

Matt Kenyon
Logan Thunder

Averaging 20.33 points per game, the new 36er led the Logan Thunder with 5.58 assists per game and his 10.17 rebounds was ranked second in the NBL1 North competition behind only his Thunder teammate Callum Dalton. His 7.00 free throws made per game also had him ranked equal second in the competition.

Unfortunately for Kenyon and the Thunder, they only won five of their 14 games, meaning they finish 11^th out of 12 teams and miss out on playing in the finals.

NBL1 South

Michael Harris
Frankston Blues

Harris’ Frankston Blues finished 12^th and missed out on playing in the NBL1 South finals, but it was not because of his efforts. He had an excellent season, leading the club for points per game, assists, rebounds (6.95 per game) and blocks (0.45). He averaged 24.68 points which had him ranked second for the whole competition, while his 5.41 assists saw him finish fourth in the competition. He was also ranked second in NBL1 South for three points made with 3.64 per game.