From import to Aussie? Cheatham's big play

Zylan Cheatham has become the latest NBL import to explore the process of gaining Australian citizenship, according to 9 News' Will Crouch.

The Adelaide 36ers star is looking to follow in the footsteps of teammate Bryce Cotton, who received his citizenship in September 2025, and Illawarra's Tyler Harvey, who did so last month.

From a basketball perspective, gaining citizenship would allow Cheatham to be classified as a local player, meaning he would no longer count towards the club's three-import cap. The 36ers currently have three imports on their roster: Cheatham, John Jenkins and Nick Rakocevic.

"Zylan Cheatham is exploring the process of becoming an Australian citizen. He wants to call Adelaide home for as long as possible," Crouch said via X.

"If successful, it'd set the stage for an almost unfathomable lineup of Z, Bryce Cotton, and THREE imports in Adelaide."

Cheatham has been one of the League's standout imports across two separate stints, first with New Zealand and now in his second season with the 36ers. He was named in the All-NBL Second Team for the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season.