Five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton Joins Adelaide 36ers

Bryce Cotton poses with his fifth NBL MVP Trophy. Picture: Paul Kane.

Five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton has sensationally joined the Adelaide 36ers on a three-year deal.

The 36ers first engaged with Cotton in the middle of May according to league sources, and discussions swiftly reached the advanced stages, culminating in an agreement on Thursday.

Cotton was a member of the NBA’s Utah Jazz when 36ers head coach Mike Wells was an assistant with the franchise.

The 32-year-old is coming off arguably his best NBL season in which he averaged 28.1 points per game over the regular season and playoffs and posted a 59-point game, which was the most by any player in the NBL's modern 40-minute era. He earned his fifth league MVP, and eighth All-NBL First Team selection.

Cotton joins the 36ers after spending nine seasons with the Perth Wildcats, where he won three NBL Championships and two Grand Final MVP awards in addition to his five league MVPs, earning a reputation as one of the league's greatest ever players.

The 36ers are now eyeing a star-level import power forward, as well as a backup big man, and league sources believe they will continue to be busy in overhauling their roster.

Cotton had substantial offers on the table from Japan's B League, sources said, but the idea of remaining in the NBL was one that was more desirable for the American.

The 36ers also plan to facilitate Cotton's strong desire to obtain Australian citizenship. If Cotton becomes an Australian citizen, the 36ers would be able to apply a marquee designation on his contract.