In The Post – Bruton out for two games

Catch up on all the latest headlines from around the basketball world in today’s edition of In the Post.

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COVID hits 36ers

Adelaide 36ers coach CJ Bruton will miss both of Adelaide's games this round after testing positive to COVID-19. 

Assistant coach Jamie Pearlman will coach the 36ers for both games.

NBA royalty planning to head down under

Two-time NBA Executive of the Year, and Illawarra Hawks co-owner, Bryan Colangelo is planning on visiting Australia to watch his Hawks.

Meanwhile, South East Melbourne Phoenix owners John Wall and Zach Randolph are also planning a trip to the NBL. Wall is a five-time NBA All-Star while Randolph made two All-Star games during his career.

Newscorp has the full details here.

NBA on Delly’s mind

Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman has revealed star United guard Matthew Dellavedova thinks he can still make an impact in the NBA.

“Delly certainly believes that there is a role for him in the NBA,” Vickerman said via Newscorp.

Wildcats looking for roster upgrades 

The Perth Wildcats are constantly looking for ways to upgrade their roster ahead of the finals according to the club’s GM of basketball Danny Mills.

“You’re always monitoring the market. You’re always evaluating your own team. If opportunities come across where you can improve the roster then that’s always something you would look to do,” Mills told The West Australian’s The Dribble Podcast.

Injury bug bites United

United veteran David Barlow is set to miss multiple games due to a foot injury, while youngster Callum Dalton has been ruled out for the season after tearing his ACL.

Now or never for Hawks

Mastercoach Brian Goorjian says it is now or never for the Hawks’ finals hopes as they get set to battle fellow finals contenders the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday night.

“We've put ourselves in a position where, if we don't get a few of these, we're not going to make the playoffs. You look at Sydney, you look at Perth, you look at Melbourne, you look at Phoenix... if we don't win any of those games we're not making the playoffs; and we've got to do it on the road,” Goorjian said via the Illawarra Mercury.

JackJumpers high performance centre in works 

Tasmania JackJumpers owner Larry Kestelman says construction on the club’s new high performance centre at Wilkinson’s Point is close to starting.

“I’m hoping we can start construction on the community and the high performance centre literally in the next six months,” Kestelman told The Mercury.

NBL preparing Deans for college

JackJumpers development player Sejr Deans says the NBL has been huge for his development ahead of his college basketball career with Jacksonville University. Deans leaves for college in July.

“It's definitely fast-tracking my progression coming in to the college season. The NBL is one of the best leagues in the world and getting to play at that level and train and compete against these guys everyday is making me better very quickly,” Deans told The Advocate.