{"id":746745,"date":"2026-06-19T13:27:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T13:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/746745\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T13:27:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T13:27:11","slug":"former-adelaide-star-would-love-nbl-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/746745\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Adelaide star would “love” NBL return"},"content":{"rendered":"

He was one of the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL\u2019s most exciting players, and now Jacob Wiley has opened up on the coach who changed his career during that time in Australia.<\/p>\n

Wiley played for the Adelaide 36ers across two stints, 2018\u201319 and 2023\u201324, averaging 11.4 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game across his 54 appearances.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview with Fox Sports Australia<\/a>, Wiley explained that his coach during that first time in the City of Churches made a huge impact on his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoey Wright recruited me at Summer League, going into my second [professional] season. And for me, it was just a no-brainer,\u201d Wiley said to Fox Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI owe him my whole career; he believed in me and saw something in me when no one else did. No disrespect to any other coach, but it\u2019s just about the timing and who I was as a player when he coached me. I was not a pro at all. And Joey got me. He turned me into a pro.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a master manipulator in a good way. He manipulated the best basketball out of me, and he worked with me and still to this day, you know, we have a great relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiley, now 31, is currently playing Puerto Rico\u2019s Baloncesto Superior Nacional for Santeros de Aguada, alongside former Cairns Taipan Admiral Schofield and reported 36ers re-signing John Jenkins.<\/p>\n

After that season is done, the forward said he\u2019d be open to a return to the NBL.<\/p>\n

\u201c(I’ve) been battling a lot of NBL guys over here in Puerto Rico, so that\u2019s been great,” Wiley said. <\/p>\n

“The seasons line up perfectly … I feel like if there\u2019s an NBL club out there or anybody seeing this, I\u2019m definitely keen and definitely aware of what\u2019s going on in the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously it would have to be the right situation and jive for everybody. But man, for me, I would love, love, love, love to return.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL27 Season tips off on Saturday, September 19, when Wiley\u2019s former team, Adelaide, travels to Melbourne to face United at John Cain Arena from 7.30pm AEST.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here >> Ex-import opens up on ill-fated NBL stint, coach that made him and late dad\u2019s life-changing words<\/a><\/p>\n

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