Energy unleashed: Cheatham charges up the 36ers

Photo: Adelaide 36ers Media.

On paper, Adelaide’s lineup looks intimidating.

Cotton, Cheatham, Harrell, Vasiljevic, Humphries and Camerson. It’s a group stacked with talent.

But talent alone won’t be enough. Building cohesion and getting star players to buy into the team concept will be crucial, and the 36ers are determined to establish that connection early.

“Obviously, you’ve got to put in your defensive and offensive concepts and try to gel as best as possible in a short time. But I think for us, the big thing is communication,” Zylan Cheatham said on Wednesday.

“Defence is huge for us, but just learning each other and developing relationships off the court is just as important. We’re doing different activities to get to know each other, and I think that’s going to move the needle for this team. We’ve got a very talented group, so those relationships will make the difference.

“That’s critical. Establishing that identity and that culture. Those are the things that matter when it comes to March. Right now, we’re just taking it step by step and building it brick by brick, and I think we’re doing the right things.”

At the heart of it all is Bryce Cotton. The five-time MVP is among the most dominant players the Hungry Jack’s NBL has seen, and while ultimate team success has eluded him so far, his commitment to the collective makes him a true team player.

“I’ve played against him a couple of times, so I know how talented he is, but so far I’ve been really surprised at how professional and humble he is,” Cheatham said.

“You wouldn’t even notice he’s Bryce Cotton in day-to-day life, and that’s really impressive to me. Our communication and developing that relationship has already started, and I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Cheatham says returning to the NBL is an incredible honour, following a dominant run with the New Zealand Breakers that was unfortunately hampered by injury. 

“Oh man, it's a high-level league. It's getting a lot more attention from EuroLeague to the NBA, so for a guy like me who wants to take that next step and either go back to the NBA or head back to Europe, it’s a really good opportunity. I'm excited to see where it takes me,” he said.

“It's a dream come true, to say the least. Obviously it's (Adelaide) a very talented group, high-level coaching staff, high-level organisation, and it's been nothing short of that since I've been here. I've been accepted and we're having some good practices, so it's really exciting.

“I tried to come in with no expectations. I know what I know and what you hear. I’ve got a couple of guys that played here formerly, so I’d heard a few things, but I came in with a clean slate and just wanted to get my own feel for it. It's pretty much exceeded everything I thought so far.”

After lighting up NBL24 with highlights in just 17 games, Cheatham is aiming to deliver more of the same at a packed Adelaide Entertainment Centre, where memberships are already sold out and anticipation is sky-high.

At 29, he thrives on energy and bringing it to every moment.

“I’m the type of guy who’s offensively and defensively versatile. I feel like I can bring a lot to the floor, but one of the things I hang my hat on is energy,” Cheatham added.

“I like being that guy who gets everyone going. As the season goes on, it’s easy to get in that funk of, ‘Oh, we’ve got another game,’ but I’m the guy who’s like, ‘Let’s go, fellas, we’ve got this.’ I pride myself on being that spark.”

Cheatham and the 36ers open their pre-season campaign against the reigning Champions, taking on Illawarra at the Blitz in Canberra on August 27.