Cheatham: "We're the best team in the league"

Adelaide 36ers fans have been counting down to the home opener, and the club’s new star-studded roster is prepared to meet the lofty expectations of a Championship run.

“I want you guys to think we’re the best team in the league, because I do,” new recruit Zylan Cheatham said on NBL Now.

The 36ers once again grabbed the off-season spotlight, this time for all the right reasons.

They assembled one of the most talented rosters in club history, with Cheatham as a highlight-reel addition.

“You see the type of guys that are signing here now and it's like… this is where I wanna be. I want all that smoke,” he said.

Cheatham became the final major piece to join the club, following five-time MVP Bryce Cotton’s stunning move from Perth and Montrezl Harrell’s decision to return for another year.

“I always knew it was a possibility,” he said about the return to the NBL after starring for the New Zealand Breakers two seasons ago.

“I always had that kind of… unfinished business feeling.

“I always knew it was a possibility to come back. The league is just amazing.”

Adelaide sold out every game last year, and the club has already announced that memberships are fully exhausted ahead of the highly anticipated NBL26 season.

Cheatham is eager to experience that atmosphere again, this time on the home side.

“My last regular season game with New Zealand was actually at Adelaide,” he recalled.

“I just remember the crowd being unbelievable… I'm like, 'these guys aren't even playing for anything. Why is this sold out?'... and it just kind of stuck with me a little bit.

“This is something I really want to be a part of. So, I think we have a chance to be special.”