Smith-Milner returns to learning from Bruton

Playing basketball with CJ Bruton barking instructions is a full circle moment for new Adelaide 36ers signing Tohi Smith-Milner.

Currently representing the Tall Blacks at the FIBA World Cup, Smith-Milner began his professional basketball journey in New Zealand over a decade ago and was training with the NZ Breakers during their era of dominance.

With Bruton one of the key components of the Breakers success, Smith-Milner said his already taken a lot of instructions from his new head coach.

“I’ve known CJ for a very long time,” Smith-Milner, who signed a one-year deal this week, said.

“When he was playing for the Breakers, I was a young teenage kid and he was one of those old veterans yelling at me at trainings.

“That was a very different experience for a 15-year-old kid in high school to be training with guys who have been to Olympics and World Cups and won multiple championships

“That experience was better for me in the end, it made me tougher as a player.”

Bruton is excited to bring that toughness Smith-Milner brings into Adelaide’s NBL24 campaign.

“I thought I was going to get a chance to play with him, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case as he went to Melbourne to start his pathway,” Bruton said.

“But I have followed his journey through the years.

“Now, he is hungry for an opportunity to prove himself and I’m excited to see him contribute to the 36ers.”

The 127-game NBL big man said the relationship with Bruton went a long way in his decision to join Adelaide for the NBL24 campaign.

“My agent had been in contact with CJ since the season had finished and funnily enough I got a call from Phoenix again,” Smith-Milner said.

“CJ called me a few days later, and we were on the phone for like an hour and a half, just chatting life and basketball and where I was at.

“I knew this was going to be a new experience, a fresh start.”

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Smith-Milner left New Zealand in 2015 and has spent his entire NBL career to date in Victoria at Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The 205cm centre was part of United’s NBL championship win in 2018, against Adelaide, and he said that fact has already been addressed.

“I have had both Nic (Barbato, CEO) and Grant (Kelley, owner and chairman) already say to me that I’m on the right side of the fence now,” Smith-Milner said.

“This I think will be an ongoing heckle, but I’m pretty stoked and can’t wait to get over to Adelaide.”

Smith-Milner says 36ers fans should expect a fierce competitor at both ends of the floor this season.

“A lot of toughness, doing the little things right, diving on the loose balls, setting screens, all the dirty work for the team,” he said.

“I can also step out and shoot the three and work in the pick and roll.

“I had a game in Adelaide last year, where I lived in the midrange area, so I can be a threat there as well, and I like to pass the ball too, find the open man and read the game.”

The two-time NZNBL champion is currently playing for Wellington Saints and is also a big chance to represent New Zealand at next month’s FIBA World Cup.