31
Oct
2026
Code Sports
Twice-sacked legend reconciles with 36ers
Scott Ninnis interim coach of the 36ers is seen during the round 15 NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Adelaide 36ers at Cairns Convention Centre, on January 13, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. Photo: Emily Barker/Getty Images
The man involved in all four Adelaide 36ers NBL titles has broken bread with the club’s owner
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The relationship between Scott Ninnis and the Adelaide 36ers might be as complex as there has ever been between any legend of a club in the history of Australian basketball, writes Michael Randall from Code Sports.
So, while the big celebration on Sunday is the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Invincibles, it’s almost as significant the Sixers hall-of-famer — and only man involved in every one of the club’s four NBL titles — will walk through the doors of Adelaide Entertainment Centre for the first time since 2024 when he was sacked as head coach … for a second time.
Ninnis revealed to this masthead he’d recently mended fences with Sixers’ owner Grant Kelley and, while he still carried some frustration at his exit, the 60-year-old is looking forward to coming home and reconnecting with friends and fans, past and present.
“It’ll be my first time back in the stadium since I got sacked,” Ninnis said.
“I’ve caught up with Grant and we’ve broken bread.
“I know people who have held grudges for 20 years and look I’m never, ever going to be happy about that situation, but I’ve seen it happen to people where they can’t let go.
“It’s now two years-plus since it happened and I’m really looking forward to hanging out with a bunch of legends, having a good time and getting back to the club.
“I’m not going to let down the guys that I won that first championship with.”
Ninnis revealed the NBL’s all-time single-game scoring record holder Al Green had been working behind the scenes to strengthen the relationship between the club and past players — and the Sixers’ greatest Brett Maher, who’d quit the club in protest of his good mate’s sacking, had also recently caught up with Kelley to reconcile differences.
Flash back 40 years and Ninnis was just 19, the pup of a remarkable team led by the iconic Ken Cole, who he calls the greatest motivator he has ever encountered.
For the full story on Code Sports Basketball, click here.
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