'The stars aligned' for Wiley's 36ers return

New Adelaide 36ers signing Jacob Wiley said “the stars aligned” in his journey back to the City of Churches for the NBL24 season.

Wiley is back in Adelaide after spending the past four years travelling the basketball landscape, with playing stops in Europe, Asia and South America.

“My family and I are so excited (to return) and we know it’s going to be a great fit and we are going to have a great season,” Wiley said.

“We have some good friends in Adelaide, a lot of people we keep in touch with. That’s one of the main reasons why we wanted to come back.

“It’s been a while, but we have a lot of connections here and we want to build on that.”

The 203cm forward, who won a championship with Vaqueros de Bayamon in 2022, said he will be a much-improved player to the one who played in NBL19.

 “When I first played in Adelaide, that was my first real stint overseas,” Wiley said.

“I feel way more confident this time than I did the first time around, I told CJ (Bruton, head coach), ‘I want to come and help’ and ‘I want to come in and turn this ship around’.

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“I feel like there has been something missing since I have left, I want to bring that energy.

“I always said to myself ‘I want to come back’, and finally the stars aligned.”

Wiley will get to experience the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for the first time, and he said he’s ready to get the fans roaring again.

“We have a new venue now from last time, it’s going to be crazy, it’s huge,” Wiley said.

“Bringing that intensity and that will to win.

“I got real love and respect for Adelaide.”

The former Brooklyn Net said he wants to make an instant impact with the new-look roster.  

“I’m going to come in and do what coach needs me to do, I really want to be that defensive stopper and complement the great players we already have.

“I’m ready to come straight away, this really means something for me and my family.”

Wiley, wife Brittany and their children Layla and Aliya will arrive in Adelaide next month.