To finally have the chance to step onto an NBL court is driving Alex Starling to the next level.

The 2022 NBL1 Central Defensive Player of the Year signed a one-year deal with the 36ers this week and said he’s going to make the most of this opportunity.

“It feels great to finally be an NBL player,” Starling said.

“Residency came about and along with that citizenship, so that open the NBL door a bit wider, so it’s been very rewarding.”

Starling said Adelaide head coach CJ Bruton had been in constant contact throughout his citizenship process and was tracking his progress.

“Last year CJ came out to a lot of games, along with a lot of the players, so he knew what I was capable of during NBL1 in 2022,” Starling said.

“I then went out to a few 36ers trainings during last season, and I also had some individual workouts this year.

“He (CJ) knew about the citizenship test and the interest was there, I also had a few other teams who were keen, but I prefer to be at home in Adelaide.

“Adelaide is home for me, it has been for eight out of the past nine years.”

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Even after nearly a decade without an NBL call up, Starling never lost sight of his main goal.

“I thought it was going to happen some day after all the work I have put in my entire life, not just the past decade here,” Starling said.

The 198cm forward said he wants to hard work to the team, along with a tough mentality at both ends of the court.

“I pride myself on my defence, but whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do it and capable to change the way I play to suit the betterment of the team,” Starling said.

“I just want to get the job done, especially at the defensive end of the floor.”