History of Adelaide 36ers in Timeline
The Adelaide 36ers are a professional men's basketball team competing in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). Representing South Australia, they are based in Adelaide. Originally the Adelaide City Eagles in 1982, they rebranded as the 36ers in 1983, a name derived from the year South Australia was proclaimed (1836). Their home games have been played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre since 2019.
1964: Ken Cole Represented Australia at the Olympics
In 1964, Ken Cole, who later became the coach of the Adelaide 36ers, represented Australia at the Olympic Games.
1979: Brian Kerle Wins NBL Championship
In 1979, Brian Kerle became the first rookie coach to win an NBL championship in the league's inaugural season.
1981: Demise of the Forestville Eagles
At the end of the 1981 NBL season, the Forestville Eagles folded, leaving the West Adelaide Bearcats as Adelaide's sole representative in the NBL.
1981: Al Green named to All-NBL First Team
In 1981, Al Green was named to the All-NBL First Team while playing for West Adelaide.
1982: Home Court at Apollo Stadium
From 1982, the Adelaide 36ers' home court was the Apollo Stadium, which seated 3,000 people.
1982: Adelaide 36ers Play at Apollo Stadium
In 1982, Adelaide 36ers played at the Apollo Stadium.
1982: Al Green named NBL MVP
In 1982, Al Green was named the NBL MVP, however he was overlooked for a place in the All NBL First Team.
1982: Mike Osborne Appointed Head Coach
In 1982, Mike Osborne was appointed as the first head coach of the Adelaide City Eagles.
1982: Adelaide City Eagles Join the NBL
In 1982, the Basketball Association of South Australia formed a composite team known as the Adelaide City Eagles, which joined the NBL after the Forestville Eagles demise. The team played at Apollo Stadium and finished 7th.
1983: Smyth coaches at AIS
From 1983, Phil Smyth was a part-time specialist coach at the Canberra based Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
1983: Adelaide 36ers Missed Playoffs
In 1983, Adelaide 36ers missed playoffs for the first time since 1983.
1983: Mike McKay played for West Adelaide
In 1983, Mike McKay played for West Adelaide as a bench player.
1983: Orlando Phillips NCAA Award
In 1983, Orlando Phillips was the NCAA West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year.
1983: Team Renamed Adelaide 36ers
In 1983, the Adelaide City Eagles were renamed the Adelaide 36ers.
1983: Split into Eastern and Western Divisions
In 1983, the NBL split into Eastern and Western divisions during the regular season.
1984: Mike Osborne's Coaching Tenure Ends
At the end of the 1984 season, Mike Osborne's tenure as the coach of the Adelaide 36ers concluded.
1984: Merger with West Adelaide Bearcats
Following the 1984 NBL season, the West Adelaide Bearcats merged with the 36ers to consolidate Adelaide's representation in the NBL, with the Bearcats providing six players to the roster.
1984: Mike McKay played for West Adelaide
In 1984, Mike McKay played for West Adelaide as a bench player.
1984: First NBL Finals Appearance
In 1984, the 36ers reached the NBL finals for the first time, finishing the regular season in 3rd place in the Western Division. They lost their Elimination Final to the Nunawading Spectres. Mike Osborne was subsequently released as head coach.
1984: Split into Eastern and Western Divisions
In 1984, the NBL was split into Eastern and Western divisions during the regular season.
June 1985: Home Winning Streak
The Adelaide 36ers began a 20-game home winning streak that lasted until June 1985.
1985: Ken Cole Coaches in Grand Final
In 1985, Ken Cole coached the Adelaide 36ers to the NBL Grand Final in his first season with the club.
1985: Peter Ali Joins Adelaide 36ers
In 1985, Peter Ali joined the Adelaide 36ers.
1985: Grand Final Loss
In 1985, The Adelaide 36ers lost the Grand Final to the Brisbane Bullets.
1985: Free-flowing offence
In 1985, The Adelaide 36ers team had a free-flowing offense.
1985: Reached Grand Final
In 1985, the Adelaide 36ers reached the Grand Final which was played in Brisbane.
1985: Adelaide 36ers Grand Final Appearance
In 1985, under coach Ken Cole, the Adelaide 36ers reached the NBL Grand Final but lost to the Brisbane Bullets 95–120. The team included Al Green, Mark Davis, and Darryl Pearce.
1986: Mark Davis Grand Final MVP
After winning the Grand Final MVP award in 1986, Mark Davis jointly won the league's MVP award with Brisbane's Leroy Loggins. Davis also led the league in rebounding for the third straight season, averaging 17.8 for the year.
1986: Ken Cole Suspension
During the 1986 season, Adelaide 36ers coach Ken Cole was suspended by the club for smoking a marijuana joint during a road trip to Brisbane. Despite the controversy, he was reinstated before the playoffs due to player pressure.
1986: Adelaide 36ers Championships
In 1986, Adelaide 36ers Championships.
1986: Previous Record Grand Final Score
In 1986, Adelaide 36ers set previous Record Grand Final Score
1986: 36ers win first NBL Championship
In 1986, Ken Cole led the Adelaide 36ers to their first-ever NBL championship, marking the first time the NBL Grand Final was a best-of-3 series. Cole also won the NBL's Coach of the Year award in 1986.
1986: Mark Bradtke signed by Ken Cole
In 1986, Mark Bradtke was signed by Ken Cole as a 6 ft 8 in 16 year.
1986: Scott Ninnis Championship Squad
In 1986, Scott Ninnis was part of the championship squad.
1986: Grand Final Home Loss
In 1986, The Adelaide 36ers had a home loss during Game 2 of the Grand Final series against Brisbane.
1986: Hosted Grand Final Games
In 1986, the Adelaide 36ers hosted two games of the successful Grand Final series win over Brisbane at Apollo Stadium.
1986: Greatest Single Season Team
In 1986, the Adelaide 36ers were awarded as the greatest single season team in league history.
1986: West End 36ers Naming Rights
In 1986, the Adelaide 36ers were known as the West End 36ers, owing to sponsorship from West End Brewery, during their first title year.
1986: Ken Cole Coach of the Year
Ken Cole was the 1986 NBL Coach of the Year and the championship winning coach. Cal Bruton left the Brisbane Bullets after a public falling out with coach Brian Kerle.
1987: Adelaide 36ers Semi-Finals Elimination
In 1987, Adelaide 36ers were eliminated in the semi-finals.
1987: Gary Fox Replaces Ken Cole
In 1987, Gary Fox replaced Ken Cole as coach. The defending NBL champions lost the series 2-1 to the Perth Wildcats.
1987: Gary Fox takes over as coach
In 1987, Gary Fox, formerly of St Kilda, became the coach of the Adelaide 36ers following the sacking of Ken Cole.
1987: Adelaide 36ers Minor Premiers and Semi-Finals
In 1987, the Adelaide 36ers finished as minor premiers and reached the semi-finals.
1988: Adelaide 36ers Minor Premiership
In 1988, Adelaide 36ers minor premiership.
1988: Minor Premiership and Scoring Record
In 1988, Adelaide finished with their third minor premiership in a row. Darryl Pearce set a single game scoring record for the 36ers with 48 points. Mark Bradtke made his NBL debut for the 36ers.
1988: Pearce and Bradtke at 1988 Summer Olympic Games
In 1988, Darryl Pearce and Mark Bradtke represented Australia at the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, where the team finished 4th. Bradtke became the youngest player to represent Australia in basketball at the Summer Olympics at age 18.
1988: Adelaide 36ers Minor Premiers and Semi-Finals
In 1988, the Adelaide 36ers finished as minor premiers and reached the semi-finals.
1988: Minor Premiership in 1988
In 1988, under coach Gary Fox, the Adelaide 36ers secured the minor premiership but were defeated in the semi-finals.
1989: Adelaide 36ers Elimination Final
In 1989, Adelaide 36ers elimination final.
1989: Fox's Last Season
In 1989, Gary Fox's final season with the Adelaide 36ers concluded with the team finishing as beaten Elimination finalists.
1989: Adelaide 36ers Finished 6th
In 1989, Gary Fox's last season, the Adelaide 36ers finished 6th with a 15-9 record, and Orlando Phillips replaced Bill Jones as import player. Mark Bradtke became starting center and won the NBL's Most Improved Player award.
1989: Marty Clarke Grand Final win
In 1989, Marty Clarke won the NBL Grand Final with the North Melbourne Giants.
1990: Team's Worst Ever Performance
In 1990 the team had it's worst ever performance.
1990: Don Shipway Appointed Coach and Peter Ali Retirement
In 1990, Don Shipway became coach, the team missed playoffs for the first time since 1983, finishing 9th with an 11-15 record. Mark Davis replaced Darryl Pearce as captain, and Peter Ali retired after 279 games.
1990: Don Shipway Appointed as Coach
In 1990, Don Shipway, the long-time assistant coach, replaced Gary Fox as the head coach of the Adelaide 36ers.
1991: Lack of a Large Home Venue
By the end of the 1991 NBL season, Adelaide was one of only 5 teams in the league that did not have a home venue that could hold at least 5,000 fans.
1991: Adelaide 36ers Semi-Finals Elimination
In 1991, Adelaide 36ers were eliminated in the semi-finals.
1991: Final Game at Apollo Stadium
In 1991, the Adelaide 36ers played their final game at Apollo Stadium, a semi-final loss to the Perth Wildcats.
1991: Adelaide Entertainment Centre Opens
In 1991, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre opened, but the 36ers opted for their own venue instead of being a tenant.
1991: Adelaide 36ers Semi-Finals Loss and Darryl Pearce Signs with North Melbourne Giants
In 1991, with Butch Hays and Brett Wheeler joining, the Adelaide 36ers finished 4th but lost in the semi-finals to the Perth Wildcats. Darryl Pearce played his last season for the club and signed with the North Melbourne Giants from 1992. It was the team's last season at Apollo Stadium.
1992: Darryl Pearce Signs With North Melbourne Giants
In 1992 Darryl Pearce signed with the North Melbourne Giants.
1992: Brett Maher's Debut
In 1992, Brett Maher made his Adelaide 36ers and NBL debut on the night the Powerhouse opened.
1992: Shipway Suspended for Slapping a Fan
In 1992, Don Shipway was suspended by the NBL for four games (later reduced to two on appeal) after slapping a fan during a time-out in an away game against the Hobart Devils.
1992: Eastside Melbourne Spectres and Southern Melbourne Saints Form Magic
In 1992, Eastside Melbourne Spectres and Southern Melbourne Saints had merged to form the Magic.
1992: Mark Davis Australian Citizen
In 1992, Mark Davis became an Australian citizen.
1992: Smyth coaches at AIS
In 1992, Phil Smyth coached at the Canberra based Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
1992: New Home Arena Opens
In 1992, the Adelaide 36ers and BASA opened a new home arena in Findon.
1993: Don Monson Hired as Coach, Chris Blakemore Rookie of the Year
In 1993, Don Monson became coach after Shipway. Phil Smyth and Willie Simmons joined the team. Chris Blakemore was named NBL Rookie of the Year, and Scott Ninnis was Most Improved Player.
1993: Don Monson Replaces Shipway
In 1993, veteran American coach Don Monson replaced Don Shipway as the coach of the Adelaide 36ers.
1994: NBL Grand Final Appearance
In 1994, Mike Dunlap led the Adelaide 36ers to the NBL Grand Final series against the North Melbourne Giants.
1994: Grand Final Home Loss
In 1994, the Adelaide 36ers had a home loss during Game 1 of the Grand Final series against North Melbourne.
1994: Adelaide 36ers Grand Final
In 1994, the Adelaide 36ers reached the Grand Final.
March 1995: Boomers Debut
In March 1995, Brett Maher, Mark Davis, Brett Wheeler and Chris Blakemore debuted for the Boomers at the Clipsal Powerhouse.
1995: Adelaide 36ers Semi-Finals Elimination and Controversy with Dunlap
In 1995, Adelaide 36ers were eliminated in the semi-finals by Perth. Robert Rose was let go. Controversy arose over Dunlap's instruction to Chris Blakemore to foul Martin Cattalini during a game, leading to a suspension for Blakemore.
1995: NBL Semi-Finals
In 1995, Mike Dunlap coached the Adelaide 36ers to the NBL Semi-finals.
1995: Adelaide 36ers Semi-Finals
In 1995, the Adelaide 36ers reached the semi-finals.
1996: Brett Maher Olympic Selection
In 1996, Brett Maher was selected to play for the Australian Boomers at the Atlanta Olympic Games.
1996: Adelaide 36ers Semi-Finals
In 1996, the Adelaide 36ers reached the semi-finals.
1996: Adelaide 36ers Semi-Finals Elimination and Dunlap's Departure
In 1996, the Adelaide 36ers, after recruiting Martin Cattalini and Leon Trimmingham, were again eliminated in the semi-finals. Coach Mike Dunlap returned to the United States after his father's death, and it was mutually agreed that he would not return as coach after friction with the club board over player releases.
1996: Mark Davis Ends Captaincy
Mark Davis ended his team captaincy in 1996.
1997: Adelaide 36ers Win Against Magic
In 1997, Adelaide 36ers won against Magic at the Powerhouse
1997: Dave Claxton as Coach and Brett Maher Team Captain
In 1997, Dave Claxton replaced Dunlap as coach, and Brett Maher took over team captaincy from Mark Davis. Adelaide finished 7th, missing the playoffs.
1998: NBL Moved to Summer League
Following the 1998 season, the NBL transitioned from a winter to a summer league.
1998: Brett Maher Captained Adelaide 36ers to NBL Championship
In 1998, Brett Maher captained the Adelaide 36ers to an NBL championship.
1998: Adelaide 36ers won championship in 1998
In 1998, Mark Davis was an integral member of the Adelaide 36ers championship team.
1998: Adelaide 36ers Grand Final Victory
In 1998, Phil Smyth coached Adelaide 36ers to the NBL Grand Final series win against the South East Melbourne Magic, securing their first championship since 1986. Kevin Brooks was named Grand Final MVP.
1998: Phil Smyth Leads 36ers to Championship
In 1998, Phil Smyth coached the Adelaide 36ers to the NBL championship, becoming the first rookie coach since Brian Kerle in 1979 to win an NBL championship.
1998: Grand Final Home Loss
In 1998-99, the Adelaide 36ers had a home loss during Game 2 of the Grand Final series against Victoria.
1999: Kevin Brooks left the 36ers for the Sydney Kings
In 1999, star import forward Kevin Brooks left the Adelaide 36ers to join the Sydney Kings because the NBL ruled that the 36ers couldn't keep him under the salary cap.
1999: McDonald's Championship
In 1999, the Adelaide 36ers participated in the McDonald's Championship in Milan, finishing 5th with a 1-1 record.
1999: Adelaide 36ers Championship and Semi-Finals
In 1999, the Adelaide 36ers won a championship and reached the semi-finals.
1999: Adelaide 36ers became minor premiers in 1999-2000
In 1999-2000 the Adelaide 36ers became minor premiers.
2000: Adelaide 36ers became minor premiers in 1999-2000
In 2000 the Adelaide 36ers became minor premiers.
2000: Mark Davis Retires
In 2000, Mark Davis, a longtime Adelaide 36ers player and former club captain, retired after playing 482 NBL games, all with the Adelaide 36ers. At the time of his retirement, Mark Davis was the NBL's all-time leading rebounder with 5,200 rebounds.
2000: Adelaide 36ers Minor Premiers and Semi-Finals
In 2000, the Adelaide 36ers finished as minor premiers and reached the semi-finals.
2000: Adelaide 36ers Minor Premiers
In 2000, the Adelaide 36ers finished as minor premiers with a 22-6 record but lost in the semi-finals to the Titans, failing to secure their third consecutive NBL championship. Also, Brett Maher and Martin Cattalini were selected to represent the Australian Boomers at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
2000: Adelaide 36ers lost to Wollongong Hawks in the semi-finals
In 2000, the Adelaide 36ers reached the semi-finals but were defeated by the eventual champions, the Wollongong Hawks. Darnell Mee won his third consecutive NBL Best Defensive Player award but left the club due to salary cap restraints.
2001: Stadium Renamed Distinctive Homes Dome
At the end of the 2001-02 season, the Clipsal Powerhouse was renamed the Distinctive Homes Dome.
2001: Brett Maher Captained Australian Boomers
In 2001, Brett Maher captained the Australian Boomers at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, becoming the first 36ers player to captain his country.
2001: Adelaide 36ers recruit Willie Farley, Oscar Forman and Jacob Holmes
In 2001, the Adelaide 36ers recruited import shooting guard Willie Farley as well as local juniors Oscar Forman and Jacob Holmes.
2001: Adelaide 36ers Championship
In 2001, the Adelaide 36ers won a championship.
2001: 2001-02 NBL Championship
In 2001-02, Phil Smyth led the Adelaide 36ers to another NBL championship.
2001: Record Grand Final Score
In 2001-02, during Game 3 of the NBL Grand Final series, the Adelaide 36ers scored 125 points, breaking their own NBL record set in 1986.
2002: Adelaide 36ers Elimination Finalists
In 2002, the Adelaide 36ers were beaten Elimination-Finalists.
2003: Adelaide 36ers Elimination Finalists
In 2003, the Adelaide 36ers were beaten Elimination-Finalists.
2004: Adelaide 36ers Elimination Finalists
In 2004, the Adelaide 36ers were beaten Elimination-Finalists.
2005: Adelaide 36ers Quarter Finalists
In 2005, the Adelaide 36ers were beaten quarter-finalists.
April 2006: 36ers, Lightning, and Distinctive Homes Dome Up for Sale
In April 2006, the Adelaide 36ers, the Adelaide Lightning WNBL team, and the Distinctive Homes Dome were put up for sale due to debt mishandling by BASA.
July 2006: Hemmerling and Groves Buy 36ers and Distinctive Homes Dome
On July 25, 2006, Mal Hemmerling and Eddy Groves of ABC Learning acquired the Adelaide 36ers and the Distinctive Homes Dome for $3.95 million.
2006: Adelaide 36ers Quarter Finalists
In 2006, the Adelaide 36ers were beaten quarter-finalists.
2006: Joey Wright Wins Championship
In 2006-07, Joey Wright wins the NBL championship with the Brisbane Bullets.
2007: Joey Wright won NBL championship
In 2007, Joey Wright was the coach who won the NBL championship.
2007: Adelaide 36ers miss the playoffs
In 2007, the Adelaide 36ers missed the playoffs for the first time since Phil Smyth took over as coach, finishing with a club record worst-place of 11th.
2007: End of Smyth's Coaching Tenure
The 2007-08 season marked the end of Phil Smyth's 11-season tenure as the coach of the Adelaide 36ers.
2008: Adelaide 36ers finish 9th
In 2008, the Adelaide 36ers missed the playoffs, finishing in 9th place with a 14-16 record.
2008: Brisbane Bullets returned to the NBL
In 2016 the Brisbane Bullets returned to the NBL for the first time since 2008.
June 2009: Sale to Save Our Sixers Consortium
In June 2009, Mal Hemmerling sold the Adelaide 36ers to the Save Our Sixers Consortium, a group of eight individuals led by Mark Lewis and Ben Fitzsimons.
2009: Brett Maher's last season
2009 was the last season for Brett Maher, the club games record holder, who was retiring after 526 NBL games and three championships with the 36ers.
2009: Hood Sweeney Sponsorship
In 2009, Hood Sweeney, a consulting firm based in Adelaide, sponsored the team, leading them to be known as the Hood Sweeney Adelaide 36ers.
2009: Adelaide 36ers last win against the Breakers in Auckland
The Adelaide 36ers had their first wins over the Breakers in Auckland since 2009.
2010: Marty Clarke appointed Adelaide 36ers coach
In 2010, Marty Clarke replaced Scott Ninnis as coach of the Adelaide 36ers for the 2010-11 NBL season.
2010: Adelaide 36ers Finish Second Last
In 2010, the Adelaide 36ers finished with a 9-19 record, avoiding their second straight last-place finish due to the Sydney Kings' worse record. Adam Ballinger won his fourth straight club MVP award.
2011: 1986 Team Named Greatest Ever
During the 2011-12 NBL season, the 1986 Adelaide 36ers were named the league's greatest ever team on the NBL's official website.
2011: Adelaide 36ers finished with the wooden spoon
In 2011, the Adelaide 36ers finished with the wooden spoon.
2012: Adelaide Arena in Hands of Commonwealth Bank
During 2012 and 2013, the Adelaide Arena was controlled by the Commonwealth Bank after Eddy Groves defaulted on his loan.
2012: Mitch Creek injured
In 2012, Mitch Creek suffered a season ending Achilles tendon injury.
2012: Greatest Single Season Team
In 2012, the NBL announced that the 1986 Adelaide 36ers were voted as the greatest single season team in league history.
2012: Dunlap Coaches Charlotte Bobcats
In the 2012-13 season, Mike Dunlap became the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA, making him the first person to coach in both the NBL and the NBA.
April 2013: SA Church Basketball and Scouts SA Become Joint Owners
On April 3, 2013, SA Church Basketball and Scouts SA became joint owners of the Adelaide Arena, ensuring it remains the home of basketball in South Australia.
2013: Joey Wright signed as new head coach
In 2013, Joey Wright was signed as the new head coach for the Adelaide 36ers.
2013: Adelaide 36ers Grand Final
In 2013, the Adelaide 36ers reached the Grand Final.
2013: Adelaide 36ers Grand Final Series against Perth Wildcats
In 2013, the Adelaide 36ers run saw them finish the regular season in second place with an 18–10 record. They then defeated the Melbourne Tigers 2–1 in their semi-final series before losing 2–1 in the Grand Final series to the Perth Wildcats.
April 2014: Highest Home Attendance
On April 11, 2014, a record 8,127 fans attended Game 2 of the 2014 NBL Grand Final series against the Perth Wildcats at the Adelaide Arena.
2014: Adelaide 36ers Grand Final
In 2014, the Adelaide 36ers reached the Grand Final.
June 2015: New Group Acquires Licence
In June 2015, a new group acquired the Adelaide 36ers' licence from the NBL, including management of Titanium Security Arena.
November 2015: Online Poll for Best Team
In November 2015, The Advertiser ran an online poll to determine the fans' favorite team.
November 2015: Darryl Pearce and Al Green Jerseys Retired
In November 2015, the Adelaide 36ers retired Darryl Pearce's No. 4 jersey and Al Green's No. 15 jersey.
2015: Jerome Randle joins the Adelaide 36ers
In 2015, Jerome Randle joined the Adelaide 36ers. Despite Randle's great individual season, the 36ers failed to make the playoffs with a 14-14 record.
2015: Titanium Security Arena Naming
In 2015, the Distinctive Homes Dome became officially known as the Titanium Security Arena due to sponsorship from Titanium Security Australia.
2016: Joey Wright as Coach
As of 2016-17, Joey Wright, who won the 2006-07 NBL championship with the Brisbane Bullets, is the coach of the Adelaide 36ers.
2016: Ken Cole Coach of the Year Only Time
As of 2016-17, Ken Cole's 1986 NBL Coach of the Year award remains the only time a 36ers coach has won the award.
2016: Record Still Stands
As of the 2016 NBL Grand Final, Adelaide 36ers Grand Final Score record still stands
2016: Al Green's scoring record still stands
As of the 2016-17 season, Al Green's single season points per game record for the Adelaide 36ers, set in 1985, still stands.
2016: Joey Wright locks in the roster for the 2017-18 season
Following the 2016-17 season, coach Joey Wright secured eight Australian players for the 2017-18 season, while Jerome Randle was replaced by Shannon Shorter, along with Ramone Moore and Ronald Roberts.
2016: Grant Kelley Becomes Major Shareholder
In 2016, Grant Kelley became the major shareholder and chairman of the Adelaide 36ers.
2016: 36ers retain Jerome Randle and sign new players
In 2016, the 36ers retained Jerome Randle and signed Anthony Drmic, Majok Deng, Eric Jacobsen and Terrance Ferguson.
2016: Adelaide 36ers Minor Premiers and Semi-Finals
In 2016, the Adelaide 36ers finished as minor premiers and reached the semi-finals.
2016: Adelaide 36ers became minor premiers
In 2016, the Adelaide 36ers had been confirmed as minor premiers for the first time since the 1999–2000 season.
2017: 36ers lose Grand Final Series against Melbourne United
In 2017, the Adelaide 36ers lost the Grand Final Series against Melbourne United, after defeating the Perth Wildcats.
2017: Adelaide 36ers Grand Final
In 2017, the Adelaide 36ers reached the Grand Final.
2017: Major Partners in 2017-18 Season
In the 2017-18 season, the Adelaide 36ers' major partners included Pathion, Scouts, Ananda, Goodlife, and Villi's.
October 2018: First Game Against NBA Team
On October 5, 2018, the Adelaide 36ers played their first game against an NBA team, losing to the Utah Jazz.
2019: Move to Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Since 2019, the Adelaide 36ers have played their home games at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
October 2022: Defeat of the Phoenix Suns
In October 2022, the Adelaide 36ers defeated the Phoenix Suns 134-124 in a preseason game, becoming the only NBL team to defeat an NBA team.
October 2022: First NBL Team to Beat NBA Team
On October 2, 2022, the Adelaide 36ers became the first NBL team to defeat an NBA team when they beat the Phoenix Suns.
September 2023: Kelley Becomes Sole Owner
In September 2023, Grant Kelley became the sole owner of the Adelaide 36ers after increasing his shareholding to 100%.
2024: Only NBL team to defeat an NBA team
As of 2024, the Adelaide 36ers are the only NBL team to have defeated an NBA team, beating the Phoenix Suns in October 2022.
January 2025: Daniel Johnson Jersey Retired
In January 2025, the Adelaide 36ers retired Daniel Johnson's No. 21 jersey.
2025: 36ers lose NBL Ignite Cup Final to the New Zealand Breakers
In 2025, the Adelaide 36ers reached the inaugural NBL Ignite Cup Final, where they lost to the New Zealand Breakers, despite Bryce Cotton's 34 points.
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