Humphries and Jenkins to miss season opener

The Adelaide 36ers have been dealt a blow heading into their Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season opener against Melbourne United with key players Isaac Humphries and John Jenkins ruled out of Saturday night’s game.

Humphries (knee) and Jenkins (back spasms) weren’t with the team as they left Adelaide on Friday afternoon and Head Coach Trevor Gleeson confirmed they would not feature.

While Gleeson said it was “not ideal” to be missing the pair, it would allow other players to step up.

“Ice (Humphries) had some ongoing knee injuries and then JJ's back seized up so he's in a fair bit of pain and we kind of ruled him out early today,” Gleeson clarified to local media at Adelaide Airport on Friday, explaining he hoped they'd be available for Thursday’s trip to Perth.

“You always want to have your best team on the floor, so we'll just worry about this week, and we'll see how our plans are next week.

“We’ll have to do some modification out there, but look, we've had a really good pre-season, I’m happy with all the young guys coming through, how much energy they bring, and we want to transfer that over to the bright lights.”

Gleeson named several players he was excited to see take the court against United.

“We’ve got Keanu (Rasmussen) and Deonte (Williams) that we signed as a development player, and Jacob (Rigoni) is an injury replacement,” he said.

“They're three guys that have really come on and really had an impact with the squad.

“And then we'll work on our veterans off the bench, which is Isaac White, and young Ben (Griscti) hasn't played quality minutes in the NBL so I think they're really, really energised to get out there and play.”

Melbourne United has been favoured by the bookies to win the NBL Championship after some strong off-season recruiting including NBA experience through Cole Anthony, Joe Ingles, Luke Travers and Josh Oduro.

“I don't think any team in the history of NBL has had three guys come in and played in the NBA last year,” Gleeson smiled.

“Joe Ingles is so smart. He's got a high basketball IQ. You’ve got Luke Travers, one of the best athletes in the league, and then you’ve got a point guard that can run the ship and shoot in Cole, so yeah, (they’re a) pretty lethal combination.

“I think Melbourne's probably the favourite at the moment, aren't they? I think that I've seen that somewhere,” Gleeson added.

“It's a good challenge for us early in the season, down a couple of numbers.

“We are really worried about ourselves, how we play, what kind of style that we play.

“We want to bring a lot more energy out there and the young fellas are going to help us do that.”

A five-time NBL Championship winning coach as part of an impressive basketball resume, Gleeson is taking the reigns in his first game at the helm of the Sixers, having returned to the competitions after five seasons overseas.

In a different world, he may have been coaching United, who had spoken to him around the same time as Adelaide.

United instead will be led by Jacob Chance, who coached under Gleeson in Perth.

The experienced mentor said he was excited to be in Adelaide and to start the campaign.

“I’m really excited to be here. I didn't want to be anywhere else,” he said.

“Melbourne have got Jacob Chance. Jacob coached with me for four years, won three championships.

“They got the guy that they wanted, so it's a win-win. And now we get the butt heads for a little bit.”

The game tips off at 7:00pm ACST / 7:30pm AEST. If you can’t be at John Cain Arena in Melbourne to watch it live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+, or live and free on 9Go and 9Now.