In the mix: Free Agency watch

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach CJ Bruton isn't ruling out anyone when it comes to finalising his roster ahead of NBL23.

“I’m not closing the door on any players at the moment", Bruton told media on Wednesday.

“We want to get the best players available to help the 36ers be successful. I’d like to get one of the signings done before pre-season starts next month."

Take a look at who is in the mix to fill the Sixers’ last import and local spot:

Cam Bairstow
Cam Bairstow was a shining light for the Sixers in their last season. The 206cm big man averaged 11.39 points, 1.67 assists, 8 rebounds on the back of shooting 46 per cent from the field per game throughout NBL22.

The strongly built 30-year-old power forward brings international experience and significant basketball pedigree, with the NBA, Olympics, and World Cup experience all sitting on his CV. 

Josh Adams
Josh Adams had a sensational campaign with the Tasmania JackJumpers last season and was named in the All-NBL Second Team and played a key role in the team making the Grand Final.

Prior to this Adams suited up for the Italian team Virtus Bologna who won the Italian League in 2021. The versatile guard averaged 17.47 points, 1.94 assists, and 3.26 rebounds in his most recent NBL season.

Duop Reath
Duop Reath was a dominant presence for the Illawarra Hawks throughout the 2021-22 season, averaging 15.57 points and 7.07 rebounds per game.

The 211cm centre joined the Hawks fresh off winning a bronze medal with the Australian Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics and professional career in Serbia after finishing his college time with Louisiana State.

Mangok Mathiang
Mathiang has extensive international experience and played for the Charlotte Hornets during the 2017 NBA Summer League, and Mathiang averaged 10.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game for Charlotte’s NBA affiliate team the Greensboro Swarm.

The power forward then went on to play for Navolia Cemona of the Italian Basketball League and contributed to their first Italian Cup win.

Travis Trice
Travis Trice made his NBL debut in 2016, and in his 26 games for the Cairns Taipans, averaged 14.6 points, 3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, and was subsequently named the club’s MVP at the end of the season.

Trice has valuable NBA experience after a stint with the New York Knicks’ affiliate team the Westchester Knicks where he averaged 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Trice most recently signed with the Slask Wroclaw of the Polish Basketball League and would bring an influx of experience and basketball IQ to the 36ers roster.

Scotty Hopson
Scotty Hopson is in the mix to fill the 36ers final import spot. Hopson brings with him a long list of international experience having NBA stints with the Cavaliers, Mavericks, and OKC, as well as the experience in the NBA G-League, and NBL. After a season with the Oklahoma City Thunder Blue of the NBA G-League, Hopson signed with Melbourne United and helped them to a championship in 2021.

The 201cm shooting guard averaged 11.86 points, 2.89 assists, and 3.61 rebounds in his last NBL season with Melbourne United, and a NBL championship to his name.

Aron Baynes
With a standout international career and years of NBA experience, Aron Baynes would bring a wealth of skill and knowledge to the 36ers roster.

The 35-year-old power forward won a championship with the Spurs 2014 in addition to seasons with the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and most recently, the Toronto Raptors.

Baynes has represented Australia at the highest level, with the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, the 2016 Summer Olympics, and the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China all on his resume.

Stay up to date with the Adelaide 36ers latest player singings and announcements here.

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