The Road Diary: Nick Marshall

Adelaide 36ers swingman Nick Marshall is getting use to life on the road and living out a childhood dream of being a professional basketballer.

Marshall, who was recently upgraded to a roster spot, said he is gaining confidence every day and is learning both on and off the court of what it takes to be a NBL player.

“I got a bit of experience now and got to go on the road a lot last year so it’s cool to be with the team and to see what it’s like,” Marshall said.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to continue to do it for the next 10 years, that would be nice.

“I feel comfortable out there. I reckon and I go out and make an impact on the court. Making the most of my opportunities when it comes.”

The 198cm swingman was in the thick of the action during Thursday night’s 96-82 win against Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena, scoring an NBL career-high eight points and his third quarter three-pointer a real turning point in the contest.

As the home side were storming back into the contest, Perth cut a 16-point Adelaide advantage to just four, and with the 36ers holding a 64-58 lead, Marshall’s triple sucked the life out of the Red Army.

“That felt pretty good, in the moment I was open so I was going to shoot it,” Marshall said.

“I saw RoBo (Franks) driving the ball into the paint and my eyes kind of lit up.

“When I watched it back it was a pretty big three and sort of shifted the momentum back to us.”

On the next offensive possession, Marshall tried to go back-to-back, but his second three-pointer caught iron.

“Nah that one was always going right, but if that one went down it would have been pretty cool,” he said.

A South Australian local product, Marshall has struck up a ‘bromance’ with Anthony Drmic, who he sees as a great mentor for his career.

“Drmic has huge confidence in me and tells me every time I’m on the floor to just shoot it,” Marshall said.

“I get along with all the guys on the road, but I’ve been rooming with Drmic most of the time, so I’ve enjoyed that.”

Marshall, who as a development player travelled in economy class during the NBLxNBA pre-season trip to the US, has had an upgrade on flights recently.

“I’ve been quite lucky, I’ve had exit rows the last couple, so I’ve levelled up a little bit,” Marshall said.

“It’s all about being a pro and making the most of it.”

During Adelaide’s historic 134-124 win against NBA franchise Phoenix Suns, Marshall had the opportunity to guard his idol, Devin Booker.

“It was surreal, I remember checking in and I said ‘I’m guarding him’ and went like a flash,” Marshall said.

“Hopefully, I can go back and do it again.”

Marshall doesn’t have many travel routines, but does stay behind after shootaround with Sunday Dech to get some extra shots up.

“Putting in the work, shooting every day, before and after training.It’ s my job and I feel like if you’re not doing the extra work, you’re not doing your job,” Marshall said.

“Making sure I get those reps up so when it comes to a game, like Thursday night, I knock them down.”

Adelaide only have two road trips next month as the club are set for six home games on Brett Maher Court in December, but Marshall has got his travel diary set.

“I download a few movies and TV shows and watch a few that I’ve been watching,” he said.

“I just finished The Legacy, the Lakers documentary on Disney Plus.

“I get to go away and play the game that I love and be with some of my good mates, but the worst thing is being away from my girlfriend and home.

“But it’s usually only a couple of nights and we are back home.”

Marshall, who has spent the past two seasons playing for Mount Gambier Pioneers in the NBL1 South competition, says the constant travel to Melbourne has helped his progression to the NBL.

“We got to go away every second weekend, it’s not a flight but it’s a four-and half-hour drive,” Marshall said.

“Being on the road is the fun part, building that chemistry with everyone, I enjoy it, it brings everyone closer together.”

On Thursday night, Marshall got the bragging rights against Pioneers teammate now Wildcat Michael Harris.

“We appreciate each other. It was pretty cool to be out there with him he is one of my best mates,” Marshall said.

“To be out there at RAC Arena with a massive crowd, it was pretty special.”