Cotton backs Gleeson reunion as search heats up

Bryce Cotton says he’d welcome the opportunity to work with five-time NBL championship coach Trevor Gleeson again, as the search to replace Mike Wells heats up in Adelaide.

Gleeson and Cotton partnered in the Perth Wildcats’ successes of 2017, 2019 and 2020, with the highly regarded coach now reportedly in the mix for the coveted role at the 36ers.

“I’d be a fool to not want something like that if they asked me that, because I won three championships with him (Gleeson),” Cotton said on Tuesday.

The six-time MVP said the club’s powerbrokers had his full backing in choosing the right coach, as Adelaide looks to go one better than its runner-up finish in NBL26.

“I always instil the trust in them of whatever you guys decide I’m rolling with you,” he said.

“Whatever the front office decides to bring in, I trust their ability. They did a great job putting together the team this year, but I have no doubt they’ll find the right coach.”

36ers GM of Basketball Matt Weston is leading the search for Wells’ replacement.

“We’re hopeful that we’re not too far away from landing who we want to be as our head coach,” CEO Nic Barbato said.

Wells stepped down from the position he’d held for two years a fortnight ago, citing family reasons.

“Shocked. Very shocked. But at the end of the day, I was grateful I had the opportunity to play for Mike again,” Cotton said, describing the emotions around Wells’ departure.

Adelaide is still looking to break its 24-year title drought, after going agonisingly close against the Sydney Kings in a memorable Championship Series.

“It’s over with. Season’s come, season’s go. You’ve got to leave the past in the past, but we know where our sights are set for the season coming up,” Cotton added.

“Two seasons are never the same, no matter how close we were in the last season, there are going to be different obstacles or different advantages.

“You have to treat this season as a brand new thing and understand nothing is over until it’s over.”