Grateful Griscti on his spirits and support since his injury

Injured centre Ben Griscti has given an update on his condition, praising his teammates and everyone involved in the Adelaide 36ers organisation for their support.

Grtiscti was injured when a backboard collapsed on top of him during a routine shoot-around at the AIS Arena, ahead of the side’s final NBL Blitz game on the 30^th of August.

The 23-year-old suffered a fractured vertebrae and is now required to wear a neck brace for at least six weeks.

Speaking with Adelaide 36ers Media after visiting team training, Griscti said he was feeling better each day.

“I'm doing quite well compared to the first week post-injury,” he said.

“I kind of became a bit dependent on people then and couldn't do some daily activities, so now I'm doing a lot better, more independent, feeling better as well, starting to have the pain ease off a little bit and in better spirits.

“Coming out to training has been really good because I get to come in and look at the group work and especially how much they've supported me over this time. It's good to come in and see them and you know just have the conversations face to face and just see the guys and how we're doing.

“Being around people is a big part of it. You know you get pretty lonely doing the rehab so yeah, it's good to be around these guys and I love these guys so it's good to be here.”

Griscti made big inroads last season, playing seven NBL games and showing significant development.

After a strong off-season with the Sturt Sabres in the NBL1 where he averaged 16.22 points and 9.39 rebounds, the 211cm big man impressed as part of the starting five in the first game of the NBL Blitz against Illawarra.

He scored 13 points, pulled down four rebounds and had two assists in the win over the reigning NBL Champion.

“I can take a few things away from the preseason games and the game against Illawarra,” Griscti said of his strong build-up to the season, prior to his injury.

“I believe I felt more like myself out there at the NBL level for the first time, so trying to take that away and then trying to learn a lot of things on the sideline this year almost as if it's I’m like a player-coach and I'm picking up a few things just by doing that.

“(It’s) obviously not the type of improvement I was aiming for this year, but you've got to look at the positives right? I can't go back and change what happened so I'm trying to take everything in my stride and move forward.”

And he could not be more grateful for the support he has received – from teammates and the wider community alike.

“From the minute it happened, it felt like these guys have just been by my side,” Griscti said of his teammates.

“Whether it's texting or offering to take me places since I can't drive or just anything like that, it's been great to have these guys.

“The first training I came back, just seeing their sort of emotions, seeing me walk after the injury and do all that sort of stuff, it meant a lot.

“Just this whole club, it felt like everyone's been by me at all times, so I feel very supported, and I don't feel like I'm doing this alone, which is the most important part.”

While he would love to be on the court when the Sixers tip off their Hungry Jacks NBL26 campaign against Brisbane at home on September 28, Griscti knows he will need to be patient, as he works towards full health.

“(I’m) just taking everything step by step,” he said. “I'm not trying to hit any home runs right now.

“I have a scan six weeks post-injury to see if I can take the neck brace off, and then I can start doing some physiotherapy and trying to strengthen the neck.

“But, (I’m) not trying to rush anything, (I’m) trying to take my time and return to full health and be ready to go, so that time will come but I'm being patient and just taking everything as it happens.”