IT HAS been an extremely eventful off-season for the Adelaide 36ers, who have launched into championship contention with one of the biggest player signings the NBL has ever seen.
After just missing the playoffs due to being eliminated in the play-in, the Sixers were aggressive in the off-season, bringing back most of their star core, but adding five-time NBL Most Valuable Player Bryce Cotton, in a move that could bring the team their fourth championship.
Now, pairing Cotton and fellow recruit Zylan Cheatham with the established trio of Dejan Vasiljevic, Montrezl Harrell and Isaac Humphries should see the Sixers enter the competition as one of the favourites to win it all in the coming months.
Adelaide 36ers
Roster
Ben Griscti, Blake Jones, Bryce Cotton, Che Brogan, Dejan Vasiljevic, Deng Manyang, Flynn Cameron, Isaac White, Isaac Humphries, Keanu Rasmussen, Magok Manyang, Matt Kenyon, Michael Harris, Montrezl Harrell, Zylan Cheatham
The Sixers have absolutely loaded up with talent and bring one of the most experienced and talented collection of players of the modern era. With five genuine stars surrounded by proven role players, Adelaide is well-placed for a tilt at the title.
Next Star
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Key player – Bryce Cotton
It may be the obvious answer but it is hard to go past the best player of the modern era when it comes to unlocking the Sixers’ championship hopes. Prying the star guard from the Perth Wildcats was one of the biggest moves the organisation has ever pulled off, and could pay dividends in the first season of the partnership. Cotton is fresh off his fifth NBL MVP and second consecutive season winning this award, showing that he is still in the prime of his career at 33 years of age. He is a proven winner, with three championships to his name and will be eager to bring some of this experience to the Sixers. Although fans have not seen a glimpse of him yet as the team eases him into preparations for the season, if Cotton can maintain his MVP-level of form, it will make Adelaide tough to stop.

Key to success – Getting their stars to gel
The Sixers have built an absolutely loaded roster, adding a superstar unmatched in talent and resume to an already stacked team. If they are to truly get the most out of their talent, the chemistry will need to be there reasonably early on given how even the playing field is. With so many star players, the Sixers will need them to work together and if they can compliment each other and slot in nicely, their amount of offensive options should lead them to a finals berth.
In a sentence
The Sixers have built an immensely talented roster, headlined by the inclusion of Cotton, and if all of their stars can mesh nicely and perform at a high level, it is hard to see Adelaide not making a deep run into the postseason.