Sixers six-pack locked in ahead of Free Agency

Adelaide 36ers will enter the NBL24 free agency period with six players locked away for next season.

The NBL released the 2023-24 free agents list on Tuesday morning and the club will now search the world to recruit the best possible talent for the NBL24 campaign and beyond.

Reigning two-time Damian Martin Defensive Player of Year award winner Antonius Cleveland will be back in 36ers colours next season, along with Mitch McCarron, Sunday Dech, Kyrin Galloway, Robert Franks and Nick Marshall.

The 196cm swingman averaged 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per night in NBL23 and won the Mark Davis Trophy as the Adelaide 36ers Most Valuable Player.

Now playing in Israel for Hapoel Eilat, Cleveland is already counting down the days until NBL24 and has the hunger for success next season.

“CJ Bruton, I will be back on September 1, pick me up at the airport,” Cleveland said with a big smile during his Mark Davis Trophy acceptance speech last month.

McCarron ended media speculation last week and committed to the Club.

“There was a lot of talk going around of people on the move and what the clubs were doing, but that didn’t come from me, I’m locked in here,” he said.

McCarron, who will remain in Adelaide and play in the NBL1 Central competition with West Adelaide Bearcats, averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals per night in NBL23.

Dech will return after leading South Sudan in their first FIBA World Cup appearance in August and the 195cm guard is excited for the next opportunity.

“Our job now is to go home to our respective teams and get ready for training camp in July,” Dech said earlier this month.

“I’ll be ready to go come pre-season time after the World Cup, that’s for sure.”

Galloway goes into the second year of a two-year deal after moving from New Zealand Breakers after the NBL22 season.

The 203cm forward will spend the off-season with brother Jaylin at Ipswich Force in the NBL1 North competition, after they moved from Mackay Meteors.

“It was a package deal for them, they got both of us, we wanted to play in the same team,” Galloway said.

“To keep playing through the off-season is the best way to stay in shape.”

Franks, who signed a two-year deal last season, averaged 17.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per night in NBL23, is currently in Israel playing for Gilboa Galil.

The 201cm forward has been averaging 19 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in the Israeli league and will look for another shot at the NBA Summer League this year after playing for Boston Celtics in last year’s Las Vegas tournament.

Marshall has already been upgraded to the roster after being a development player for the past two seasons.

The 198cm swingman will again play for Mount Gambier Pioneers in the NBL1 South this off-season, but is already looking forward to NBL24.

“It’s a dream come true to be here in Adelaide, my home town,” Marshall said.

“It’s amazing to be on the roster, be with the guys all the time, I’m looking forward to it and looking forward to playing.”

The club declined options for swingman Anthony Drmic and big man Kai Sotto, who will now become free agents.

NBL24 CONTRACTED PLAYERS

Antonius CLEVELAND

Sunday DECH

Robert FRANKS

Kyrin GALLOWAY

Nick MARSHALL

Mitch McCARRON