Winning mentality key for Kell's rise

Adelaide 36ers guard Trey Kell said his side can take a lot of confidence from its past two outings against Melbourne United going into the club’s special anniversary home game this weekend.

The 36ers have pushed the NBL24 league leaders to the limit twice so far this season and Kell has the faith his side will get across the line on Saturday night.

“They are at the top of the ladder, and we have played them pretty close both games," Kell said.

“We have to continue with that effort, and they are a really good team so we have to bring that effort to come out on top.”

The 193cm guard is focused on winning and said the side is not too far away from firing on all cylinders ahead the United battle.

“It doesn’t matter what I’m doing in life, basketball, shooting games, video games, I want to win,” Kell said.

“Good things come for everyone when we win.

“It’s been a tough season for everybody, it’s never fun to be in a stretch like this.

“I think that everyone comes in with the right mindset and try to fix that.

“I mean at some point we can’t just talk about it, we got to do it and we are trying to find that formula to help us do that.”

Kell, who had a triple double of 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in the loss against the Hawks on New Year’s Eve, said the added work he is putting in is starting to reap rewards.

“It was my first one of my career as well, but I wish it would have came in a winning game,” Kell said.

“I’m just staying professional, staying after practice, getting extra shots up, trying to do whatever I can to help win as many games as we can.”

READ MORE

• HISTORY REPEATS - Part I - Summer Vibes
• HISTORY REPEATS - Part II - Playoff campaign begins with sweep
• HISTORY REPEATS - Part III - Titanic battle to title win
• HISTORY REPEATS - Part IV - Title town on world stage
• Mee happy to be 'home' in Adelaide
• Club legends thrilled with '99 jersey

The 27-year-old said the 36ers will have a new approach coming out after half time after his side were on the wrong end of some though third quarters in the past two matches.

“We have been trying to figure things out to help us in those situations,” Kell said.

Adelaide will celebrate the 25-year anniversary of the 1998/99 NBL championship on Saturday night and Kell said winning titles is what everyone plays for, and he quite likes the uniforms the 36ers will be bringing back.

“It’s great to celebrate a championship team, it’s something everyone in this profession wants to have is championships,

“The jerseys are really nice; those are the best jerseys we are going to wear this season.”

Adelaide will battle Melbourne United from 7.30pm at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, catch all the action live and exclusive on ESPN via Kayo Sports.