Teen 36er a 'serious player' for Adelaide's future

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The Adelaide 36ers are already stacked with talent but they recently added to their stocks even further with the signing of the youngest NBL player in 34 years.

Trevor Gleeson's side signed 15-year-old Raheim Brown Jr as a development player last week with the West Adelaide Bearcat joining the league's rising stars, which already features the likes of Next Star Luke Paul.

But Brown Jr isn't your ordinary development player, according to NBL legend Jason Cadee, who believes the 36ers have a future star on their hands.

"A very young addition (for the 36ers) because from all reports we haven't seen someone this young sign since 1982, I think it was reported, but I think we've got a serious player on our hands," Cadee said on the latest edition of Cut to the Jase, where six-time NBL champion Damian Martin was the special guest.

"He's also someone else who we could see on that journey of does he end up being like a Luke Paul and all these kids because the talent of what I've witnessed and what I'm hearing is for real.

"I think Adelaide doing this is, I don't know that it's necessary for him right now, he's not going to play, but to be open to that environment and get to see your Bryce Cottons and be around a Trevor Gleeson coaching.

"I think is nothing but great for the kid and for where he's going."

Brown Jr appeared in nine games for the Bearcats during the NBL1 Central season, averaging 7.4 minutes per game and two points along the way, but it's his potential and age which has the 36ers eager to bring him into the program.

He suited up for Adelaide's first home game on the weekend, an 83-69 victory over the Cairns Taipans, earning his first up close taste of the NBL.

Gleeson, a five-time NBL championship coach, also has a history of developing young players into significant players in the league.

The 36ers also have a recent history of taking young local players forward with guard Keanu Rasmussen, forward Jacob Rigoni who Cadee also shouted out on Cut to the Jase, as well as big man Ben Griscti into meaningful role players at the professional level.

“To see any Bearcats junior go from one of our junior programs, get an opportunity with our NBL1 programs and then progress onto an NBL or WNBL Development Player contract is incredibly rewarding for the club,” West Adelaide’s Blake Truslove told basketball.com.au in an exclusive interview.

“RJ has earned this opportunity, and we’re really proud of him and the work he has put in since returning from his injury.

“For a player who is still a U18 junior, to now have the opportunity to develop in an NBL environment with the Adelaide 36ers is a fantastic next step.

“We’re excited to see where he can take it.”