Kell says past connections led him to 36ers

A great basketball relationship with new assistant coach Craig Simpson was one of the key factors new import signing Trey Kell III joined the Adelaide 36ers family for the NBL24 season.

Kell and Simpson were both part of the South East Melbourne Phoenix during NBL23 and the 193cm swingman said when his assistant coach reached out, he took the call.

“I have a great connection with Craig, I was staying patient with the process after last year and I was looking for something a little different,” Kell said.

“Craig approached me with the situation, I enjoyed my time in Australia, and to come back to the same league is cool.”

The former San Diego State star said he also has a great friendship with newly signed import guard Jamaal Franklin, who was also an Aztec.

“I have a tight connection with Jamaal (Franklin) and with all those factors I thought it was a great situation for me,” Kell said.

“Not the past couple of summers, but during the off-seasons, ever since I graduated from there, in the summer we would workout together for a few weeks, play one-on-one.

“We both talked to each other before we signed, trying to see how it will work, and we figured out this is going to be great fit. Hopefully it all works out.”

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Kell, who 36ers fans would remember from last season when the shooting guard scored 24 points in an overtime win for the Phoenix against Adelaide, is keen to get one back on his former team this season.

“That’s the plan, try to get those great fans on my side, I want to return the favour on the Phoenix now I'm in Adelaide,” Kell said.

The 2022 Italian League champion with Olimpia Milano said he can’t wait to get to Adelaide and find his place in CJ Bruton’s squad.

“I’m coming in and firstly getting comfortable with the new group and just play my game,” Kell said.

“I’m not a guy that wants to come in a get a bunch of shots up, if I’m open and feeling good, I will, but at the end of the day I’m coming here to get wins.

“Last year it didn’t end well for both us (the Phoenix and the 36ers), so I want to reverse the fortune for that.”

Kell will keep the number three jersey for the NBL24 season and said the number is very special to him and his professional basketball career.

The man can shoot ??? @trey_kell #WeAreSixers pic.twitter.com/W2v3ahggkR

— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) July 31, 2023

“That’s my name, Trey, that’s what it means, I have had that name since my parents gave me that name when I was three years old,” Kell said.

“Any chance I’m playing basketball on a team, I want that number.”

The 27-year-old said he fondly remembers his matches at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre last season and is looking forward to sell out crowds cheering for him during NBL24.

“It will be real nice to have the Entertainment Centre fans on my side, the few times I’ve played there it was really loud,” Kell said.

“Christmas Eve last season, I remember that game for sure, that was a crazy game.

“To have that big crowd at every game is going to be really important for us.”

Kell is set to arrive in Adelaide as early as next week to start pre-season training.