Rigoni hungry to make up for lost time

He had a taste of top-level basketball with the Adelaide 36ers in 2024-2025, and despite a year off the court with injury, Jacob Rigoni never lost sight of his NBL dream.

Rigoni had just played 12 games for the Sixers in his first stint at the club and was preparing to play with Sturt in the NBL1 when he suffered an ACL injury in March 2025, ruling him out for a year.

Less than 18 months on, Rigoni was in the starting five for the 36ers at last week’s Code Sports NBL Blitz in Bendigo, with the 27-year-old earning his way back into the blue jersey.

“I took a lot of pride in wearing the colours again,” Rigoni told Adelaide 36ers Media after the Blitz.

“I’m very proud to be back playing for the 36ers and just super grateful to have an opportunity from Trevor (Gleeson), the coaching staff and the front office to run out with the boys again.

“After everything I've been through, you never know if you’ll get another opportunity with how good the NBL was getting and all the great players coming through, but I felt confident running out as well with the belief the team has in me.

“It’s a great group of guys and they have really welcomed me into the group.”

It was announced just two weeks ago that Rigoni had been signed as a Nominated Replacement Player, and with new signing Bul Kuol still working his way back from his own ACL injury, it’s likely Rigoni will be utilised in his absence.

But it would have come as a surprise for some to see Rigoni in the starting five at the Blitz.

“I knew a couple days beforehand that I would be starting,” Rigoni smiled.

“It was definitely a great opportunity and I appreciate the belief Trevor has in me.

“We've had some pretty good chats over the pre-season. I guess I was just grateful to be given a chance to come out and train with the group initially and then when we were talking about signing me, he had a bit of a vision for me.

“He values what I can do well, and he wants to help me keep getting better at where I need to.

“You can construct a team based on everyone's strength and weaknesses, so he puts you in positions to be successful, and so to have the opportunity to start and just to feel that belief from the guys that are standing alongside meant the world to me.”

As well as the belief of coach Gleeson, Rigoni is grateful to have had the support of his family, his partner Gabby and his physiotherapists and strength and conditioning team that helped him get back on the court.

He also singled out Adelaide 36ers assistant coach and Sturt Sabres NBL1 Central head coach Jakob Dorricott who gave him time and understanding during the initial phases of his return.

Rigoni ended up averaging 22.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game playing for the Sabres last season, which put him back in the frame for an NBL return.

“(An ACL) is a catastrophic injury and not something easy tocome back from, but I also knew that I really wanted to come back,” he explained.

“Just having a taste of the NBL, I had a strong drive to get back there and I knew I was going to do everything I could to give myself the best chance to come back at the same level and also thought why not, give it a crack and try and come back better.

“I really bet on myself and had a really strong support network.

“The NBL was definitely at the front of my mind. It was something I wanted to get back to.

“The two years I was with Adelaide I didn't have a huge role on the court, but I thought my game was developing and I was getting better where I needed to be, so having that injury, it probably puts things into question a bit more and you'll never know if you get an opportunity, but I’m completely grateful that the Sixers are giving me a chance to be back in the league and it'll be up to me what I do with it.”

Two years on from his last NBL experience, it is a different Jacob Rigoni this time around.

Stronger, more determined and hungrier to make the most of his opportunity, Adelaide’s number 25 will leave nothing out there, every time he hits the court.

“I guess you always like to think that you're resilient and you're tough and hard-working, but until you really have to display those qualities, you probably don't know if you have what it takes or not, and after an injury like that, I guess I realise how badly I do want to be out there and competing and just love being part of a team.

“I want to play at the highest level possible and be the best version of myself.

“I think I have a greater perspective on the game and so probably enjoy the day-to-day more and not always thinking of just the big picture, enjoy competing at practice and being with my teammates.

“I'm definitely hungrier than ever as well, just having lostit and knowing that nothing's guaranteed and we have to make the most of everyday.

“I'm just way more grateful and I'm going to give it everything I can.”

See Rigoni and his teammates tip off the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on Saturday, 19 September from 7:00 ACDT.

All games will be broadcast on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+ with Saturday night games on free-to-air television on 9 and 9Now.

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