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36ers centre has neck fracture after backboard collapse
Adelaide 36ers centre Ben Griscti was taken to hospital after being struck by a collapsing backboard. Photos: Mick Randall and Matt Roberts/Getty Images
Adelaide 36ers centre Ben Griscti has non-surgical fracture in his neck after backboard collapse
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UPDATE: Adelaide 36ers centre Ben Griscti has a fractured vertebrae in his neck after backboard collapsed on him during a shoot around as part of the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament in Canberra at the weekend.
"Adelaide 36ers centre Ben Griscti will miss the start of the Hungry Jacks NBL26 Season after scans confirmed the extent of a neck injury suffered while training in Canberra on Saturday," the 36ers said.
"Ben was injured when a backboard collapsed on top of him during the team’s shoot around at the AIS Arena, ahead of the side’s final NBL Blitz game.
"Scans have since confirmed the 23-year-old has suffered a fractured vertebrae but he won’t require surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
"He has travelled home to Adelaide and a timeline for him to return to the court will not be set until he is able to get further medical advice to determine the next steps around the management of the injury."
36ers big man struck, injured by collapsing backboard
Saturday, August 30, 2025: Adelaide 36ers captain Dejan Vasiljevic has told Code Sports Basketball centre Ben Griscti was "was collecting the ball under the hoop after a teammate’s dunk and was hit hard as the backboard came down on him" before being taken to hospital this afternoon (Saturday, August 30, 2025).
The 36ers are taking part in the 2025 NBL Blitz pre-season tournament in Canberra this weekend.
Code Sports Basketball was also told the 211cm Griscti, left prone after being struck about 1pm, complained he’d lost some feeling in one of his limbs but was "was in good spirits as paramedics took him to the ambulance, joking with Vasiljevic and Sixers staff".
Read the full story at Code Sports Basketball
"The National Basketball League (NBL) is aware of a training incident involving Adelaide 36ers' player, Benjamin Griscti at AIS Arena this afternoon," the NBL said in a statement at 4.55pm today.
"Griscti is in a stable condition in hospital. The circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated.
"The NBL advises that currently, Blitz games scheduled for 30th August will continue."
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