Former Adelaide star would "love" NBL return

He was one of the Hungry Jack’s NBL’s most exciting players, and now Jacob Wiley has opened up on the coach who changed his career during that time in Australia.

Wiley played for the Adelaide 36ers across two stints, 2018–19 and 2023–24, averaging 11.4 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game across his 54 appearances.

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

“Joey Wright recruited me at Summer League, going into my second [professional] season. And for me, it was just a no-brainer,” Wiley said to Fox Sports.

“I 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’s 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.

“He 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.”

Wiley, now 31, is currently playing Puerto Rico’s Baloncesto Superior Nacional for Santeros de Aguada, alongside former Cairns Taipan Admiral Schofield and reported 36ers re-signing John Jenkins.

After that season is done, the forward said he’d be open to a return to the NBL.

“(I've) been battling a lot of NBL guys over here in Puerto Rico, so that’s been great," Wiley said.

"The seasons line up perfectly ... I feel like if there’s an NBL club out there or anybody seeing this, I’m definitely keen and definitely aware of what’s going on in the league.

“Obviously it would have to be the right situation and jive for everybody. But man, for me, I would love, love, love, love to return.”

The Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season tips off on Saturday, September 19, when Wiley’s former team, Adelaide, travels to Melbourne to face United at John Cain Arena from 7.30pm AEST.

Read the full story here >> Ex-import opens up on ill-fated NBL stint, coach that made him and late dad’s life-changing words