Missing Link: Adelaide's Next Move Revealed

Adelaide head coach CJ Bruton has revealed he is still targeting a high-level point guard for his NBL24 roster, even with Mitch McCarron and Jason Cadee already at his disposal. 

McCarron will enter his third season with the 36ers this upcoming campaign, while Cadee has returned to the club from the Brisbane Bullets after a decade of representing other NBL sides.

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“The roster’s not complete yet,” Bruton told SEN. “We’re still chasing for a point guard, and a four-man that can contribute as well.

“It’s not like we’re empty-handed, but to have that depth to be able to go out and compete for a title you still need to have a guard that can control the tempo, be able to make plays, and close out games.

“Randall (Craig Randall II) was the last guy who was a guard like that, who was dynamic, who could create players for others but also take over a game when needed.

“Mitch McCarron and Jason Cadee are great signings and can play off the ball and are willing to do that.”

The 36ers could find the dynamic guard they’re looking for at their upcoming development player trials. 

Players invited to the talent search must either have been born in South Australia or be currently plying their trade in NBL1 Central in order to qualify for a spot, and there are a high number of young stars vying for up to three development player spots on the side’s roster.

A number of highly-rated young talents are potentially in with a chance of earning a contract for the upcoming season, including South Adelaide’s Lloyd McVeigh, former Melbourne development player Malith Machar, and North Adelaide’s Akech Aliir.

Bruton says the club is working on building out its connections with the best South Australian talent all over the world.

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“Last year part of [our] growth was having and academy to be able to see our young kids develop, and teach them some of the things they need going forward,” Bruton said.

“The kids that come back from college, we stay in touch with them a little more to be able to have them come in.

“While they’re still going back to school, Adelaide is their home and they want to be a 36er, so to build that relationship is good.”