Meet Jacob Wiley - The Adelaide 36ers' newest import
The Adelaide 36ers announced the signing of Jacob Wiley this morning, filling their second import spot for the upcoming 2018-2019 season.
Wiley made his debut with the Brooklyn Nets last NBA season after signing a two-way contract and spent his time between the Nets and their G-League affiliate Long Island. It could almost be seen as a swap for the 36ers' star man Mitch Creek, who was just recently announced to take part at the Nets upcoming training camp.
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Mitch Creek would be able to tell us exactly who Wiley is, after playing with him on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League squad over the NBA Summer League. This was Wiley's second showing at in Las Vegas as last year he played with the Brooklyn Nets before signing his 2-way deal. He went on to feature in five NBA games before being waived in January.
The road to professional basketball has been a long one for Wiley, who has been described as an "A-grade athlete" with "Mid-grade pro ability". He has lived in 4 states of America, attended 3 colleges and played 3 sports. It was his last year in college when he transferred to East Washington and had a huge end to the season to storm home and win the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year, averaging 20.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 2.3 steals per game for the Eagles.
This was the year that he turned into a potential late second round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and interviewed or worked out for at least 15 NBA teams. He was one of the potential late second round gems NBA GMs covet. After a successful Summer League debut with the Brooklyn Nets, he was rewarded with a 2-way contract and spent time between Brooklyn and their G-League affiliate the Long Island Nets. While his NBA play only lasted five games, he pulled on the Long Island jersey 16 times in the 2017-2018 season averaging 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.6 minutes of play a night.
From what we can see, Wiley has spent his time between the SF and PF positions and seems to fit into the position-less style of basketball that is sweeping the planet. His past coaches and draft scouting report called him the "ultimate competitor" and felt that he would fight for a spot on an NBA roster. He was known around the college game as a high energy player who cleans the glass and moves up the floor and who likes to finish above the rim when in space, but also has some touch around the paint.
With an impressive 82.4% clip from the free throw line during his college career, you can see that he has some kind of stroke as well. His impressive 7-foot wing span is going to cause issues for smaller defenders attacking the rim and he has shown that ability during the recent Summer League play.
He adds some versatility to the 36ers roster and a real X-factor that they would have been searching for with the departure of Creek this winter. With Wiley's arrival to Adelaide he joins Daniel Johnson, Nathan Sobey, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Adam Doyle, Ramone Moore, new signings Harry Froling and Jack McVeigh on the 36ers’ 2018-19 squad.