“I want to return to the NBL": Star plots comeback

The NBL career of two-time Defensive Player of the Year Antonius Cleveland isn't over just yet.

During his two-year stint in Australia, with Illawarra and Adelaide, the now 31-year-old averaged 15 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks.H

He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBL First Team Member.

This successful stint has been followed by stints EuroLeague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) and Russian pair PBC Lokomotiv Kuban and CSKA Moscow, with the Memphis product still with the latter.

But in a recent interview with Fox Sports News, Cleveland he"didn't want to leave" the NBL.

“You don’t turn away one of the best teams in Europe because you want to keep chilling with your feet in the sand in Australia. You can’t do that. My agent was like, I know you love Australia. I know you love Adelaide, but you have to do this for your career,” Cleveland said to Fox Sports News.

“As a pro and an elite player, you take elite jobs, you take the challenge. It was tough, me and my family, I did not want to leave.”

And with plenty of playing years in front of him, the 2022 All-NBL First Team selection explained he intends to return to the NBL before he hangs them up.

“I want to return to the NBL and I want to return to the 36ers or Illawarra,” Cleveland said.

“It’s always been on my to-do list since I left.”

Cleveland played 58 games with Adelaide and the Hawks.

The NBL26 season resumes on Wednesday night, when New Zealand hosts Sydney in Hamilton from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

Read the full story here >> ‘We want you’: How shock call up to face NBA giant flipped star’s career... and big statement on Aus return