Rebuilt Harrell capable of improvement

Montrezl Harrell is back in Adelaide and he has warned he is in better shape and capable of much more than he showed in his blockbuster debut NBL campaign.

Harrell left the Adelaide 36ers at the end of NBL25 and played in China, Puerto Rico and most recently in the Big3 tournament in the United States, building his fitness and maintaining his touch.

Last season the former NBA star fast became a fan-favourite with the Sixers faithful for his big dunks and powerful play.

The 201cm power forward averaged 20.5 points per game along with 9.3 rebounds and two assists, going on to be named as part of the All-NBL Second Team.

Back in Australia this week and re-joining training, Harrell says he is capable of more this season.

“I did that all off a reconstructed knee,” he said of his debut NBL campaign.

“I've had a full summer to go and rebuild myself and continue to strengthen my knee to continue to get better, in better shape and to be able to get back to where I wanted to.

“I feel like I'm in great shape, it's just more so just like getting my body back acclimated to being on this side of the world, coming from a whole different time zone where, you know, I'm 13 hours from the time zone that I was just staying in.

“It's gonna take a little bit of time to adjust to that, but as far as me as a player, I haven't stopped playing the game of basketball since I left Australia.”

While there was some doubt externally as to whether the 31-year-old would return, the man nicknamed “the Monsta” landed back in Adelaide on Sunday and was straight into training the following day.

His teammates – including six new faces – and club staff met him on the court dressed in sunglasses and gold chains, mimicking his trademark look for a bit of fun.

“Oh, it was amazing man, just to see the group of guys we have from last year, it’s a bit of a different sort of vibe and a different energy,” he smiled.

“But it’s amazing to have guys getting out there competing hard, you know, inside the lines and then guys are hanging out afterwards.

“It's just all doing all things like that to build team camaraderie.

“(Coming back) was a great decision that I made, ultimately for me and my family.

“(Adelaide) is a great place that I came and enjoyed and they welcomed me with open arms so it's just a great feeling to be back in a place where somebody wanted me and utilised me and sees me for my talent.”

And speaking of talent, with the arrival of five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton and several established NBL players including Matt Kenyon, Isaac White, Michael Harris and Zylan Cheatham, expectations are high across the competition that the 36ers will be challenging for the championship.

“You can't really say that before the season starts, you know, we haven't played a single game,” Harrell said matter-of-factly.

“We're still meshing together. I'm a realist when it comes to basketball, you can get hot at any time.

“But we built the roster to be able to compete for a championship and (be) in a place to win a championship.

“Just flat out saying that we're going to win one, man, you don't know that. I'm not the type of player to just go out there and just say, ‘oh, we're winning one’.

“There’s 30 plus games and we’ve got to go out and.. (be) all locked in on the right mindset and the right mission, and, locked in to winning one, then we'll win one.

“But I'm not one of the ones, just predetermining things like that.”

Harrell and his teammates will tip off their season against Brisbane at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on September 28.

Limited tickets are still available for purchase, with the club on track to add to its run of 21 consecutive home sell-outs.