Five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton has agreed to a three-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers, sources told ESPN.
Cotton -- who's also a three-time NBL Champion, two-time NBL Grand Final MVP, and is widely considered one of the greatest players in league history -- joins the 36ers after leaving the Perth Wildcats, where he spent nine seasons.
The 32-year-old is coming off arguably his greatest season in the NBL -- averaging 28.1 points per game over the regular season and playoffs -- and posting a 59-point game in December, 2024 which was the most by any player in the NBL's modern 40-minute era. Cotton was just named to his eighth All-NBL First Team.
The 36ers first engaged with Cotton in the middle of May, sources said, and discussions swiftly reached the advanced stages, culminating in an agreement on Thursday.
Cotton was a member of the Utah Jazz when 36ers head coach Mike Wells was an assistant with the franchise.
News of Cotton joining the 36ers was first reported by 9 News Adelaide's Will Crouch.
The 6'0 combo guard joins Isaac Humphries, Dejan Vasiljevic, Flynn Cameron, Isaac White, Michael Harris, Ben Griscti, Keanu Rasmussen, and Matt Kenyon on the 36ers' roster. The team has plans on acquiring a star-level import power forward, sources said, as well as a backup big man.
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, sources said. If Cotton becomes an Australian citizen, the 36ers would be able to apply a marquee designation on his contract.
Asked for his reaction to the Cotton signing, 36ers star Dejan Vasiljevic told ESPN: "Steph and Klay."