Harrell’s impact on show in NBL debut

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells expects Nominated Replacement Player Montrezl Harrell to take big strides after his NBL debut at HoopsFest last Sunday.

Harrell scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and was a huge spark off the bench in the 102-94 loss to Sydney Kings.

Wells was super impressed with how the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year adapted to the game, especially after checking into the match a lot earlier than expected.

“He got thrown into it with a big role with the foul trouble with Ice (Isaac Humphries). But he is a big body, great knowledge, he is figuring out how to function with us,” Wells said.

READ MORE

• Harrell's focus on NBL25 campaign
• Barossa honoured in NBL25 HoopsFest jersey
• 36ers smash membership record again

“We have tried to put him on fast forward to get him to be able to play in there, but he got thrown right in there.

“He is a heck of a competitor, he knows how to play, and he is going to get better and better.”

Harrell’s impact was profound on the contest, with the 201cm power forward recording a +/- of +23 in just over 20 minutes on the floor.

“As he gets his legs under him a little bit more and he gets his game under him a little bit more, you’re going to see him play better and better and more efficient,” Wells said.

“(He’s) an entertainer … He can fit in because he’s been a role player his whole life.

“Whether it’s the Rockets, Clippers, whoever he’s played for, he’s been an energy, role player guy and that’s what he’s going to play for us.”

Adelaide 36ers captain DJ Vasiljevic was impressed with how his side responded after giving up a 19-3 start to the Kings.

“It’s very encouraging, we didn’t start off great but to come back in that first quarter kind of showed where we have come,” Vasiljevic said.

“We have played a lot together in practice, we are just working out rotations, we have a system, so I was very pleased, despite the score.”

Adelaide will get their next chance this Saturday when the 36ers travel to Far North Queensland to battle Cairns Taipans from 5pm, you can catch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.