Adelaide 36ers sign superstar Alex Starling

The Adelaide 36ers have signed reigning NBL1 Central Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP Alex Starling to a one-year deal.

Starling, 34, initially arrived in Australia in 2011 to pursue a career in Australian Rules Football following a four-year collegiate basketball career in the NCAA. But returned to basketball in 2014 following stints with the Sydney Swans in the AFL and Frankston Dolphins in the VFL.

Starting his career in the Premier League (Now NBL1 Central), the South Adelaide Panthers champion has led his team to the thirded best record on the NBL1 Central ladder at the end of Round 8. 

Across five games this season he’s averaged 22.3 points on 42.8 per cent shooting, 12.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

"Alex has been dominating for a number of years at the local level and now he has a chance to take that next step," head coach CJ Bruton said.

"When everyone talks about Alex, he’s a proven winner, he can play both ends of the floor at a high-level and it’s fantastic he’s become an Australian citizen.

"The energy and the athleticism Alex bring will make us better."

The signing of Starling means he will make his professional sporting debut. An opportunity he is keen to take with "both hands".

“It feels great to finally be an NBL player,” he said.

"Coming out to Australia in 2012 I thought I could play at that level. Over the course of the years, the opportunities just weren’t there, but now the citizenship has opened a few doors."

Watch Starling’s South Adelaide Panthers on Saturday take on the Eastern Mavericks at 8:15pm ACST via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here. 

Feature image via: AllStar Photos