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'Humming': Isaac picking up what Bryce is putting down
Bryce Cotton of the 36ers and Bryce Hamilton of the Jack Jumpers during the round four NBL match between Adelaide 36ers and Tasmania Jackjumpers at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 9, 2025 in Adelaide. Photo: Sarah Reed/Getty Images
Highlights
Bryce Cotton and Isaac Humphries power the 36ers past Tasmania with growing on-court chemistry
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Get used to hearing Bryce Cotton dishes to Isaac Humphries for the finish. The two Adelaide 36ers stars are already on the same page after just three games and they led the home team to their third straight win in Round 4 to start NBL26.
The 36ers (3-) ground out a tough (3-2) Tasmania JackJumpers 98-89 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday night.
"He’s unbelievable," head coach Mike Wells said of Humphries 12-from-15, 24-point, five rebound, two assists, three steals and a block.
"You all see the hard work. He loves a couple of things in his life, and basketball is one of them. I think he’s found his joy playing with this group."
Cotton, 33, was an assist away from a 29-point double-double and has the 36ers, who had 20 assists on 32 field goals made.
"It’s been quick, and that comes from communication," Humphries, 27, said of his connection with Cotton.
"We talk a lot about how we can find each other.
"I told him once, 'I know where to be because I’ve guarded you for years in pick-and-roll actions'. He said, 'Well, I’ve played against you just as long, so I know where you’ll be too'.
"That connection from playing against each other has flipped — now we’re building synergy together. It’s exciting.
"If something works, we talk about it: 'That was a good one, let’s keep that'. I’m learning which way he likes to go, which way he likes to pass.
"We’re connecting in a really nice way, and I love playing in the pick-and-roll."
Humphries told basketball.com.au's Caitlin Hawkins in August: "I'm very proud of what I'm doing and take it all very seriously.
"There's many layers to who I am and my life and I think it's just all starting to come to fruition and flourish,” he said.
Humphries is one of Australia’s best basketball players, a former NBA player, a musician, an advocate for LGBTIQA+ athletes, a dog dad, and in April 2025 was named joint Role Model of the Year at the Australian Pride in Sport Awards.
"Well, I’m a basketball player — I want to remind people of that," Humphries said at the 36ers post game press conference on Thursday.
"I’m not all these other things people create out there. I work hard, I love basketball, and I can play.
"It’s just humming right now. We’ve got a great group of guys finding joy in what we do, and it’s obvious out there.
"Sometimes it feels like a backhanded compliment when people say, 'You’re playing so well this year'. I’ve played well for a decade — we all have ups and downs.
"I feel really good this season.
"I’ve got a great group around me who’s fighting and doing all the right stuff. How I’m playing is a reflection of being locked-in — but also of who’s around me and what we’re building that people don’t see."
Key Details
- Result: Adelaide 36ers 98 def. Tasmania JackJumpers 89
- When: 9th October 2025
- Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
- Standings
By the Numbers
- Bryce Cotton (Adelaide) starred with 29 points, two rebounds, nine assists, and three steals in 37 minutes.
- Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania) scored 22 points, had three rebounds, nine assists in 32 minutes.
What Happened
The 36ers established control early, taking a 21-20 lead after the first quarter before extending their advantage with a dominant 30-22 second period. Adelaide's 51-42 halftime lead provided a buffer they would maintain throughout the contest despite Tasmania's push in the second half.
Isaac Humphries was outstanding for Adelaide, shooting an exceptional 12-from-15 from the field for 24 points while adding five rebounds. His efficient interior presence complemented Cotton's perimeter threat perfectly, giving the 36ers a balanced offensive attack that the JackJumpers struggled to contain.
The JackJumpers mounted a serious challenge in the third quarter, outscoring Adelaide 30-25 behind Will Magnay's interior presence. Magnay finished with 17 points on 7-from-10 shooting, adding six rebounds, one assist, three steals, and three blocks in a valiant effort for Tasmania.
Adelaide's superior rebounding proved decisive, as they secured a 34-26 advantage on the boards including 10 offensive rebounds. The 36ers also displayed better ball security in crucial moments, capitalizing on Tasmania's 15 turnovers with 10 steals. Adelaide's free throw efficiency was another key factor, connecting on 27-from-33 attempts (81.8%) compared to Tasmania's 15-from-22 (68.2%).
The contest featured 14 lead changes, highlighting the competitive nature of the game, but Adelaide maintained control for over 35 minutes of game time. Their biggest lead stretched to 12 points while Tasmania was only able to build a two-point advantage at their peak. The 36ers' ability to withstand Tasmania's third-quarter surge and close out with a solid 22-17 fourth quarter sealed their nine-point home victory.
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