The Adelaide 36ers, also known simply as the "Sixers," are an Australian professional basketball team based in Adelaide, South Australia. They compete in the National Basketball League (NBL).
📜 Adelaide 36ers History
The Sixers were founded in 1982. They were formed as a composite team comprised of players representing teams from across the state of South Australia.
Their formation was in response to the Forestville Eagles dropping out of the NBL the previous year, which left the city of Adelaide with just the West Adelaide Bearcats competing in the country's premier basketball competition.
They were initially known as the Adelaide City Eagles, but changed their name the following year in homage to South Australia's history; the proclamation of government of the province was ratified in 1836 and is still celebrated today.
The Sixers quickly proved successful, reaching their first NBL finals in 1984 before winning their first championship in 1986. Their victory came after the demise of the Bearcats, with their ranks bolstered by several former Bearcats players.
A period of dominance in the late 1990s and early 2000s followed, as they claimed further silverware in 1998, 1999, and 2002. Although success has been harder to come by in recent years, the 36ers made history in 2022 by becoming the first NBL team to defeat an NBA team when they triumphed 134-124 over the Phoenix Suns in a pre-season friendly.
