Wells on Sixers “incredible opportunity” for South Australian basketball

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Mike Wells says NBL26 will go down as a successful season for his club regardless of whether it wins the Championship on Sunday.

The Sixers have the chance to end a 24-year championship drought when they face the Kings in Sydney on Sunday in Game 5 of the NBL Championship series.

After ending a run of seven years without finals last season, the Sixers have defied the expectations of many by making the Championship Series and pushing it all the way to a decider.

Speaking before departing Adelaide on Saturday, Wells said the season had been a personal highlight for him, and something the club was building towards.

“This team is built for sustainable success,” he said.

“This isn't a one year plan. This was built to have multiple years, and the fact that we have this opportunity, you just never know.

“We have an incredible opportunity to win an NBL championship.

“I think our guys are in the right place, and, you know, we're healthy right now, and I feel like the guys are energised and that we can keep playing. If the season was continuing on, we'd be ready to play.”

Wells said he and the team were excited about the opportunity to do something special for the city of Adelaide and the state of South Australia.

And he knew a championship would leave a legacy for the sport.

“Within the city, everybody's been great,” Wells said.

“Everybody kind of coming up, and they know who I am now. Maybe for the right reasons.

“They're back in our gym and I think they're just really involved in basketball.

“Once you get into these situations, South Australian basketball will take a huge jump. There'll be more kids that are interested in it. You're going to see better players. There's going to be more opportunities.

“This team will grow the sport of basketball, not only in South Australia and Adelaide, but, you know, I think the rivalry between KD (Kendrick Davis) and Bryce (Cotton) will do that in this country, and you'll see an influx of players and talent, and there'll be some kickbacks from this type of rivalry.”

Tip off on Sunday is at 2:00pm ACST / 2:30pm AEST.