Next challenge awaits Starling for new season

Moving into his second year in the NBL, Alex Starling believes he will be a better version of himself.

After waiting almost 10 years to get his shot at the top level, Starling said he learnt a lot during his ‘rookie’ season in NBL24.

“Last year when I signed a one-year deal, I always wanted to play a few years in the league,” Starling said after signing a new one-year deal this week.

“This signing will make a little dream come true.”

The 199cm power forward averaged 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during the NBL24 season playing in the front court rotation.

“Last season had its challenges, but I feel moving forward the experiences will help both me and the team,” Starling said.

After signing for the NBL24 season, Starling said he wanted to ‘prove himself’ at the next level and said the new deal has vindicated his play.

“I feel like I have a lot more to prove going forward,” he said.

“Experiences is life’s greatest teacher and going through the process, the ins and outs, the trainings, to travel, everything was new.

“To know how that all works now and to experience that, what worked well, what didn’t work well, I’ll be on top of that heading into the next season.”

Since finishing his ‘rookie’ season in the big league, Starling has returned to South Adelaide Panthers in NBL1 Central and has been dominant, averaging 26 points, 12 rebounds and 4.29 assists per game across the first six rounds.

Starling put the Panthers on his back last weekend, swishing four three-pointers in the final quarter as South Adelaide fought back from a four-point deficit to defeat Eastern Mavericks 91-76 on Saturday night.

“I was a rookie and I wish I still had a rookie body, but I feel good, the body is good, the mind is good, I’m ready to go,” Starling said.

The three-time NBL1 Central champion said playing for new Adelaide 36ers head coach Scott Ninnis will bring added confidence going into NBL25.

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Ninnis came back to coaching in 2022 at South Adelaide where Starling was key player, the Panthers breaking a 25-year championship drought.

“The connection with Scotty goes back to the South Adelaide days,” Starling said.

“To see where his coaching journey has taken him, we were together back when he got back into it, so over the past few years it’s been amazing to watch.

“So, I’m looking forward to continuing that journey moving forward."