Humphries back for full strength 36ers
ADELAIDE 36ers are set to be at full strength for the first time since the NBL Cup with Isaac Humphries and Tony Crocker all but certain to face Melbourne United on Saturday night.
Humphries, who has been missing since Adelaide’s horror 106-62 loss to New Zealand on February 27 with a foot injury, has some final boxes to tick before facing United. Coach Conner Henry said Humphries is itching to get back out on the court.
“He is ready to go, he wants to play,” Henry said.
“We will hopefully get two or three sessions with him this week and if he recovers well, we are optimistic.
“He got a little crook last week and we didn’t get enough training sessions into him so we backed off. We are tracking for this weekend.”
Humphries, who was averaging 15.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game before his injury, is key to the 36ers late playoff push.
“He is a welcome addition, we are anxious to get him back,” Henry said. “He was really happy (last game) to just get on the road with us last week and be with the guys.
“We need him in the lineup, his shot blocking, his finishing at the rim, his presence, he is solely focused on his basketball career right now.”
Henry said a Humphries return may not come with minutes restrictions, which has been a feature for returning injured players in the NBL this season. Crocker, who has been battling a hip complaint, could also face United, giving Henry his full compliment of players since the arrival of import swingman Brandon Paul.