Wells says Mayen switch has sparked 36ers

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells has praised the impact of ‘Swiss army knife’ Lat Mayen after Friday night’s 112-104 loss to Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena.

Mayen had an impact at both ends of the floor for the 36ers, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds, highlighted with one huge block on Wildcats centre Keanu Pinder.

After swishing a three-pointer to tie the game in the final quarter, Mayen then came up with the big defensive play before swishing another triple to give Adelaide the lead.

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Wells said Mayen’s play and move to starting small forward has been one of the catalysts to the 36ers making a late season surge.

“He has turned into a Swiss army knife for us,” Wells said post-game.

“If there is one player that has impacted our team more than anybody over this run since December 30, it’s been Lat at the three (small forward).

“His length and what he has been able to do against some of the top scorers, unfortunately Bryce (Cotton) got hot today, but his length and his ability to switch and protect the rim from the weak side.

“You saw that big block, then he ran the other way, and he gets a three.

“Those a huge, winning turn around type plays.”

Wells said he has been able to switch some of his side’s defensive rotations by giving Mayen a lock down assignment.

“What Lat has been able to do is change our defense and impact us on the defensive end and in the rebounding,” Wells said.

“He works as hard as anybody. I don’t care if he shoots it or drives it, I just don’t want him to hesitate and I thought he played that way tonight, it was a huge lift for us.”

Wells said he’s excited to see the trajectory of Mayen’s career beyond NBL25, with new elements now added to his game.

“I think his future is extremely bright and multiple different positions,” Wells said.

“He started at the three, went to the four (power forward) and unfortunately when we had fouls he had to be a five (centre).”