A Short Recap of Adelaide 36ers’ History

More popularly known as the “Sixers”, the Adelaide-bound team is the only professional basketball team representing the South Australian region in the NBL (National Basketball League).

They had four grand champions titles and held the 3rd position of most championships won in the league. The club’s ownership is now solely claimed by Grant Kelley, an acclaimed Australian businessman. Grant Kelley acquired full rights over the team in 2017.

36ers History

Initially called the Eagles during their founding in 1982, they changed their name to 36ers the year after. Their current name pays tribute to South Australia state’s proclamation in the year 1936. 

1980’s

They have decent results starting in the league and played their first finals game in 1984. Several key players from West Adelaide Bearcats joined the team in 1985 when the Bearcats dropped off of NBL. 

In 1985, under coach Ken Cole’s guidance, the Sixers become one of the league’s top-performing teams. After adjustments in team positions and plays to accommodate a more free-flowing offense, they went on to win their first championship in 1986. 

It was during this year that the team gained the nickname “The Invincibles” after scoring a perfect 13-0 at home in the regular season. This was the first time there was such a feat in NBL history.

1990’s

The team failed to reach the finals after their first Championship and went on to deliver their worst performance so far in the 1990 season finishing in 9th place. 

Despite not getting stellar results, the support for the sports teams has continued to grow. In fact, the change of home from Apollo Stadium to Clipsal Powerhouse (now Adelaide Arena) in 1992 was due to the insufficient seating capacity for fans. Tickets for Sixer games were said to be sold out in less than an hour. 

The team has made major gains from new signings and hiring a new coach in the following years. They had successfully reached the finals in 1994, being beaten only by the winning team. 

Going into 1995, several older key players left the team, allegedly due to clashes with the coach’s preference for younger players. 

The 36ers recruited players in 1986 and appointed a new official head coach a couple of years later. The team performed well the following year finishing in 2nd place and riding the momentum winning their second championship in 1998. The result of the grand finals was an upset considering the high regular season standing of the opposing team.

They also won the succeeding grand finals in 1990 despite the NBL’s change in assigned months of playing season that same year. This win gave them a back-to-back championship win from last season.

2000’s – present

Adelaide’s 36ers won another championship in 2001 while setting the league’s highest score in a finals game and another record in most 3 points in a game.

There were rough patches from 2002 onwards in the team’s performance and had continuous struggles in finding on-court directions. Failed imports had added hurdles and they continued to underperform in regular seasons.

It was not until 2013 that the Sixers gained their pace and entered the finals again. They are now consistent contenders in the league and had continued accomplishments even in overseas invitationals.

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