Invincibles' Ken Cole and Darryl Pearce to be inducted into Adelaide 36ers Hall of Fame

Championship winning Head Coach, Ken Cole and shooting guard Darryl Pearce will be inducted into the Adelaide 36ers' Hall of Fame at the MVP awards night on Friday 11 June.

They will join Club legends Brett Maher, Phil Smyth, and Mark Davis, who were inducted at the same event last year. 

The Hall of Fame recognises the outstanding effort of players and coaches throughout the Club’s history, with candidates considered based on their performance, integrity, sportsmanship, and character.  

Adelaide 36ers' Chairman Grant Kelley said the Club was honoured to have the two basketball legends added to the Hall of Fame.

“Ken Cole and Darryl Pearce were key drivers of the Club’s first championship, and part of arguably the best team in NBL history, so this is a fitting, and overdue, recognition", he said.

Ken Cole coached three NBL teams, namely the West Adelaide Bearcats before they became the Adelaide 36ers, the Sydney Supersonics, and subsequently the 36ers for two seasons in 1985 and 1986, with the 36ers reaching the Grand Final in both years. Under Ken’s leadership, the Club won their first NBL Championship in 1986, experiencing a record-breaking 24-2 win-loss and earning the team the nickname “The Invincibles.”  In the same year, Ken was named NBL Coach of the Year.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be a part of the Adelaide 36ers Hall of Fame,” said Ken.

“I was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, and that was such a great feeling…but being a part of the Adelaide 36ers Hall of Fame is special – I coached one of the greatest teams in NBL history, so it holds a special place in my heart,” Ken continued.

Darryl Pearce made his NBL debut at 21 years of age and quickly earned the nickname ‘The Iceman.’ He is regarded as one of the best three-point field shooters in NBL history, at 42% from beyond the arc during his 374-game career.

Darryl’s 14 year-long NBL career saw him play at the Adelaide City Eagles in their inaugural year before they became the Adelaide 36ers, prior to finishing his career with the North Melbourne Giants. Pearce was part of two NBL championships, one of which was with the Adelaide 36ers ‘Invincibles’ in 1986.

Ken Cole and Darryl Pearce will be honoured at the Adelaide 36ers 2021 MVP Gala Dinner on Friday 11 June at the Club’s home, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Tickets to the MVP award are on sale now.