Ninnis excited as pre-season commences

Adelaide 36ers head coach Scott Ninnis was thrilled with how his roster reported for pre-season training which began this week.

Eight out of the club’s 11 rostered players and all three development players were on court, going through a tough start to the new campaign.

Ninnis said the NBL25 pre-season is crucial, with only 55 days until the opening game of the season against Sydney Kings at Hoops Fest in Perth.

“The energy was really good and the guys have come back in really good shape, which is pleasing,” Ninnis said.

“It’s great to get back out on the court, this is my happy place and really pleasing what we put together.”

Ninnis said he was impressed with all the players, with no real standout during a number of sessions across the first week.

Thursday’s session was the first for Lead Assistant Coach Mike Wells, who arrived in Adelaide earlier this week.

“To have someone of his experience, is such a major coup for the club and it’s great for me too, to learn from someone like that,” Ninnis said.

“Marko Marinovic (senior assistant coach) will also be here when the Serbian campaign finishes at the Olympics.”

New recruits Lat Mayen, Ben Griscti and Jacob Rigoni all impressed, while marquee pair Isaac Humphries and DJ Vasiljevic led from the front, after starting pre-season two weeks early.

“It was my first real chance to have a look at Lat Mayen, he gives us something different, six-foot-eight, can shoot the ball, he’s exciting to coach too,” Ninnis said.

“It’s exciting we got a core group of guys back from last year, but you always got to improve, certainly with some of those coaching appointments, puts us in really good stead.

“I think we are in better shape than a lot of the other teams, we have eight of our 11 guys here.”

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Ninnis said building the NBL25 roster was months in planning, with the club deciding to go with two imports in point guard Kendric Davis and power forward Jarell Martin and two marquee players in Vasiljevic and Humphries.

“We have been very careful in putting together a team, not just the best the12 players we can find,” Ninnis said.

“We need guys playing the right roles, there has always been an emphasis to get local talent involved, and we have been able to do that as well.

“I’m really pleased on what we have been able to put together.”