Q&A with GM of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen

Adelaide 36ers Media caught up with GM of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen for a quick update on the roster and plans as the first game of NBL 22 approaches.

With a game tonight vs Perth and another on Sunday to complete the NBL Blitz, who can 36ers fans expect to see on the floor?

Isaac, Kai and Manny will be unavailable for both of these games. Our strength and conditioning and physio team is putting work into all three and it's about getting them ready for the start of the regular season.

Tad won't play this evening, but may be available on Sunday. On the flip side, it’ll be good to see the imports both continue to build up their time with the group and the plan at this stage is that Mojave, Sunday, DJ, Cam, and Mitch will also be out there and part of the next couple games.  

With just two preseason games left, is the approach to tonight's game and Sunday's game the same? 

Tonight's game is the second time we are facing Perth this preseason and is also not a game that counts for Blitz points, while Sunday is the first time we'll have seen Brisbane and is an offical Blitz game. The coaches and players are looking forward to both games but the roster and plan will be a little different for both games.

You mentioned Kai, how is he adjusting to his new team, the NBL setting, and progressing overall?

Kai is doing really well, fitting in and contributing every day as part of the team, as all of our players are. We engaged Scotty Ninnis to do some individual skill work with Kai in the preseason and that was really productive, in addition to the regular schedule with CJ, Jamie and the entire team and all the work done there on a daily basis. So he's working hard and improving. Right now he has some areas of soreness/injury that we will continue to get right and the S & C coach and physios are presiding over that process. We know everyone is excited about Kai and wants to see him on the floor, but it is a long season and he'll be on the floor when that process is complete. 

Hyrum Harris was the last player signed to the roster and had to come from New Zealand. Has he been able to join the team yet?

Hyrum had to get from NZ to Australia during a time that the borders were very restricted. He was able to make it to Sydney initially and we had him staying there for three weeks and working out with a strength and conditioning coach and doing on-court sessions at Sydney University. He's now arrived in Adelaide but due to border scenarios he will join the group when we get back from Perth for our first home game.

Last one. How are the Development Players adjusting to their life as professional players?

Zac, Lachy and Nick have embraced their roles as development guys and the coaches are putting a huge amount of work into all three. We feel like they all have really strong futures. They are with us here in Tasmania and will remain with the travelling party all the way through to Perth and back home after that. CJ has indicated he will likely get some of the DP's into the games this weekend at some point given that we have a few players rotated out. 

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