Mayen backs 36ers for local talent push

Scott Ninnis has always been vocal about adding South Australian talent to the Adelaide 36ers. Now, with the signing of Lat Mayen, his side’s contingent of state stars has doubled.

Mayen has joined the 36ers on a one-year deal following two seasons with the Cairns Taipans. Prior to starting his professional career under Adam Forde, he spent four years in the American collegiate system with Texas Christian University, Chipola College and the University of Nebraska.

The 25-year-old evolved from a bit-part player in his opening season with Cairns to a genuine, role-playing contributor, and he says he hopes to be the starting point for a spate of local recruitment from his new side.

“My agent gave me a couple of options, and Adelaide was the best option,” Mayen told 36ers Media.

“We (Mayen and fellow South Australian Nick Marshall) pride ourselves on where we come from and to have the SA boys come back together, it’s going to be awesome.

“Nick has shown he can play in the NBL and we need to get as many SA guys back to Adelaide as we can.”

Adelaide selected three of its four development players in NBL24 from a tryout process that only involved either South Australian-born or based players, and signed Harvey White and Akech Aliir to join NBL23 DPs Keanu Rasmussen and Fraser Roxburgh.

For the full story head to >> Family Matters for Mayen’s Adelaide move.