Return to "phenomenal" NBL excites 36er

The growth of the NBL over the past 12 months has been incredible, shown by the record-breaking Hungry Jack’s 2025-26 Season.

That is exponentially higher again when compared to the NBL21 campaign, which was the last time that incoming Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Trevor Gleeson spent in the League.

Since departing, the five-time championship-winning coach has coached in the NBA and Japan.

During that period, he watched on from afar as the League grew, while fielding an increasing number of questions about it.

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Now, as he prepares to return after a five-year hiatus, the two-time Coach of the Year is excited to get back involved in his home competition.

“Everywhere you go, people ask about it [the NBL]. That's probably the first [indication] about the growth,” Gleeson said on NBL Now.

“Before, when I was in the League, you might get one or two people from the NBA or Japan asking how it is.

“Now it's everybody. Everybody knows that you're Australian, that you coached there, and everybody is asking about [certain] players. I had my [others] over there ask what's the coaching like.

“Just the awareness [of the NBL] worldwide has grown at least 10 or 20 times.

“To see from the outside, you see the crowds here in Adelaide are an amazing environment for the Playoffs.

“I thought last year's Playoff Series was phenomenal. It was just so entertaining to watch as a fan, and I'm excited to join it again.”

Gleeson, who has 14 years Head Coaching experience to his name with Townsville, Melbourne and Perth, signed with the Sixers in May, aiming to help the club end its 25-year championship drought.

Heading into next season, Gleeson will have Bryce Cotton, Zylan Cheatham, Flynn Cameron, Ben Griscti, Isaac Humphries, Bul Kuol, Nick Rakocevic, Keanu Rasmussen and Isaac White on his NBL27 roster.