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In-your-face Sixers plot fresh NBL title bid
Shayne Hope, AAP • September 1st, 2026 7:16 pm
Kiwi Flynn Cameron will be vital in Trevor Gleeson's aim to bring a tougher defensive edge to the 36ers | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
New coach Trevor Gleeson intends to add an aggressive defensive edge to the Adelaide 36ers as they gear up for another shot at a drought-breaking NBL championship.
The Sixers were a fraction away from their first title since 2002 under Mike Wells last season, edged out by the Sydney Kings in an epic decider despite the offensive heroics of Bryce Cotton.
Gleeson has since arrived as Wells' replacement, reuniting with six-time league MVP Cotton after their enormously successful time together with the Perth Wildcats.
The five-time NBL championship coach kept a close eye on the league while in the NBA and Japan over the past five years, and has focused on defence as the area that can take the Sixers to another level.
Together again: Trevor Gleeson and Bryce Cotton have reunited in the push to bring Adelaide a long-awaited title | Photo: Glenn Hunt/AAP
"I thought they probably gave up too many easy points and it was always putting pressure on their offence to outscore the opponent, so we want to make sure we're really rock-solid defensively," Gleeson said.
"We've got a good backbone through the team so we want to get more aggressive defensively.
"We're going to get out and about and trap and rotate, full-court pick-up, so a little bit different that way."
Former Kings wing Bul Kuol will add defensive tenacity when he returns from a knee injury by December, while Gleeson said Kiwi star Flynn Cameron had similar traits to Wildcats legend Damian Martin - one of the league's greatest defenders.
Cameron was the NBL's Most Improved Player last season and spent time with the Portland Trail Blazers during this year's NBA Summer League.
"He just wants to win every drill, he's hard at it and he raises the bar at practice," Gleeson said.
"All good players need to have that edge on them and he certainly has that. Now we're after consistent performance with him."
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Gleeson takes charge of a revamped Adelaide line-up and is set to use the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament in Bendigo - starting on Wednesday - to experiment with his "brand new car".
Off-season recruits Deonte Williams and Jacob Rigoni are among those who will be given chances to impress.
"We're going to throw them against the heat and see how they go against the big smoke," Gleeson said.
"We're going to throw some different combinations out there ... and let's see what works."
Melbourne United are rated among the leading Blitz contenders, led by former NBA guard Cole Anthony, while the new-look Cairns Taipans will unveil three-time title winner Jaylin Galloway among a swag of recruits.
"Melbourne probably recruited best and Cairns have recruited great too, but you can get caught up in the mix of what other teams are doing," Gleeson said.
"Through my experience over 14-15 years it's worry about yourself, get your backyard in order and things will turn out OK."
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