{"id":183863,"date":"2025-10-02T01:07:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T01:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/183863\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T01:07:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T01:07:08","slug":"36ers-weigh-up-huge-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/183863\/","title":{"rendered":"36ers weigh up huge debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Adelaide 36ers import Nick Rakocevic could make his debut as early as Thursday night, coach Mike Wells has revealed.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the media, Wells said Rakocevic would land in Australia on Wednesday, with the club to assess his availability upon arrival.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll just have to see. We\u2019ve got a chance to see how he feels after the long flight,\u201d Wells said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s comfortable and there\u2019s no injury risk, then he\u2019ll play. If not, we\u2019ll wait until we get back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Serbian\/American big man looms as a towering presence for the 36ers, standing at 211 centimetres.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re talking about a high quality, high character, high IQ player,\u201d Wells said.<\/p>\n

\u201c6\u201911\u201d that can shoot threes and knows how to play.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old has played in China, the Philippines, Lebanon, and most recently had a stint in Puerto Rico, where he averaged 14 points and 8.1 points across 21 games. He replaces Montrezl Harrell on the 36ers\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n

For Adelaide, it was a strong start to the season against Brisbane, with their marquee Bryce Cotton knocking down 39 points.<\/p>\n

While Wells admits there\u2019s still plenty of work to grow as a unit, with so many fresh faces, he\u2019s pleased with his team\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got the most new players of any team in the league. There\u2019s going to be growing pains,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw some really good stretches on Sunday. We saw some stretches where we\u2019d like to have a little bit better rhythm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll keep trying to reconnect the group and keep moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked when the 36ers would be able to find the perfect rhythm, Wells remained coy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just got to keep better each week, with each challenge that we have,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ideal thing would be to peak at game 33 so you\u2019re ready for the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adelaide takes on Cairns in enemy territory on Thursday night, live on ESPN from 7.30pm AEST.<\/p>\n

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