Kyle Adnam Notches up 200 NBL Games

Kyle Adnam is the epitome of what hard work and dedication can achieve, told his entire basketball career he was too small, the Phoenix co-captain will this week notch up 200 NBL games.

"There's no doubt that different times in your life challenge you. I look at all those challenges and think they're the ones that sort of motivate you to do something differently. I think at those times in my career, or whether I was in under 16's and someone was saying I was too small, I would be on court the next day working on the one thing they spoke to me about. I think that's something I've always done in a way; I've almost adopted that and been like, okay, how can I prove you wrong," Adnam said.

Making it extra special, he will play game 200 the same night as good friend and fellow foundation player Mitch Creek plays game 300.

"It's super special. The first game I played in the NBL was with Creeky in Adelaide. It's been a bit of a journey for us, obviously had a little break playing together; like any good relationship, you got to spend a little time away from each other. I always love playing with Creeky; he has been one of the best teammates I have had in my career. To be able to lace them up this weekend playing our milestone games. I am excited. Couldn't be happier doing it with anyone else," Adnam said.

Tt 9451 (A fan favourite, Adnam will play 200 NBL games on Sunday.)

Adnam's path to game 200 has not been easy; much like the rest of his career, it has required a supreme level of dedication and resilience.

He spent three seasons on the development player merry-go-round, beginning his career at Adelaide 36ers in 2013/14, then onto Wollongong Hawks, now known as Illawarra, in 2014/15 and then Melbourne United from 2015-17. He was elevated to a full-roster spot for the 17/18 season, where he was part of the championship team that defeated Creek’s Adelaide team.

He moved on to the Sydney Kings for the 2018/19 season before returning home to be part of Phoenix's inaugural season in the NBL.

Adnam has been part of the Phoenix from the beginning and has been a co-captain since NBL21.

"You kind of pinch yourself looking back 200 games. I have always celebrated those little milestones along the way and tried to take a positive out of it. I look back at the work I have done and all the things I have achieved in my career. To get 200 games to date; still young in my career. I couldn't be any prouder of all the work I have put in," Adnam commented.

"But also, for me, the ability to inspire others, I want kids out of the South East to look at me and go, ‘I can do that, even if I'm told I can't’. The ability to inspire for me is the most important part of this journey so far."

Gettyimages 632268182 (Adnam won a championship in his final year at Melbourne United.)

At Melbourne United, he was introduced to his now coach, Simon Mitchell.

"My connection with Kyle goes back to his signing with Melbourne United. I was an Assistant Coach with the club at the time, and I remember pulling over on a side street in Mentone on my way to practice and recruiting (pleading) with him to come back to Victoria and take a DP in his home state. At the time of that conversation, Kizza (Kyle) had been driving for 10 hours through the night and was just 15 kilometres from Illawarra, where he was about to sign on as a DP. Anyways, to cut a long story short, he drove back to Victoria, and I've been privileged to watch most of his career from the front row. I guess milestones force reflection," Mitchell said.

"Kyle is an NBL championship player. An NBL captain. And now a 200-game NBL player. These are all major achievements that only a small percentage of players accomplish. He has been overlooked, and he has experienced being cut, but his determination and self-belief have endured. From a personal perspective, it has been a great honour to coach him, and I wish Kyle the best for many more games to come."

57 A44i9167 (Adnam hopes to inspire those who have had challenges in the way and show they can make it.)