Cut To The Jase – Zylan Cheatham talks building a legacy in Adelaide and the 36ers (2 October 2026)

NBL Now – Zylan Cheatham Returns for NBL26

BIO: Zylan Anthony Cheatham was born in Phoenix, Arizona (USA) and raised in South Phoenix. He initially preferred American football before concentrating on basketball during junior high school.

Cheatham attended St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix before transferring to South Mountain High School, later spending his junior year at Westwind Preparatory Academy. He returned to South Mountain for his senior year after learning Westwind’s coursework did not meet NCAA eligibility requirements, completing his junior and senior coursework together in order to graduate on time.

Cheatham competed in junior club basketball with California Supreme and was ranked among the top 100 high school basketball recruits nationally before accepting a scholarship to attend San Diego State University in 2014.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Zylan Cheatham made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 27 years of age. He scored 11 points in his first game.

After falling one game short of the NBL championship the previous season, New Zealand entered the off-season prioritising the retention of William McDowell-White and re-signed the guard, while captain Thomas Abercrombie, Cameron Gliddon and Izayah Le’Afa also returned. Finn Delany (via Bonn) returned following a season in Germany, with Mangok Mathiang (via Hapoel Eilat), Dane Pineau (via South East Melbourne) and Next Star Mantas Rubstavicius (via Lietkabelis) added to the roster.

Coach Mody Maor replaced outgoing imports Barry Brown Jr., Jarrell Brantley and Dererk Pardon with Zylan Cheatham (via Bayern Munich), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (via Besiktas) and Justinian Jessup (via Zaragoza). Cheatham became New Zealand’s first import signing for NBL24, joining on a one-year deal after averaging 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 13 games for Bayern Munich. He arrived with five games of NBA experience across the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz, along with more than 100 appearances in the G-League.

Cheatham made his NBL debut against Cairns at Spark Arena on September 30, finishing with 11 points and 3 rebounds as the Breakers celebrated Abercrombie’s 400th NBL appearance with a 98-87 victory. Jackson-Cartwright (25 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals), Delany (18 points), Jessup (15 points) and Mathiang (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Tahjere McCall (19 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) led Cairns.

New Zealand then travelled to the United States for two NBLxNBA exhibition games, where Cheatham recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 106-66 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on October 11. He added 11 points as the Breakers remained competitive through three quarters before falling 114-94 to the Utah Jazz on October 17.

Cheatham’s best scoring game of the season came against Melbourne at John Cain Arena on October 22, where he finished with 30 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jackson-Cartwright (18 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals) and Anthony Lamb (15 points and 5 rebounds) supported him, while Ian Clark (18 points), Chris Goulding (16 points) and Shea Ili (16 points) led Melbourne to a 97-88 victory. Cheatham’s performance kept New Zealand within striking distance until United outscored the Breakers 33-25 during the fourth quarter.

Four days later, Cheatham suffered a fractured foot during New Zealand’s game against Adelaide and was ruled out for at least six to eight weeks. His absence removed one of the Breakers’ primary rebounders, interior scorers and most versatile defenders as New Zealand endured an injury-disrupted stretch and fell outside the top six.

Cheatham returned against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on December 27 after two months on the sidelines, finishing with 11 points and 2 rebounds in an 81-71 victory. Lamb (18 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Rubstavicius (15 points) led New Zealand before Cheatham scored eight points during the closing stages, helping the Breakers finish the game on a 12-0 run and collect their third consecutive win.

His second-highest scoring performance came against Perth at Spark Arena on January 7, where Cheatham (25 points and 6 rebounds) combined with Lamb (27 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists) to help New Zealand score 35 points during the opening quarter. Bryce Cotton (31 points) and Keanu Pinder (18 points) led Perth, with the Wildcats making 35-of-39 free throws and overcoming an 11-point first-quarter deficit to win 108-102, ending the Breakers’ four-game winning streak and leaving them at 8-10.

Cheatham delivered his third-highest scoring game against Perth at RAC Arena on February 4, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists while making 7-of-12 field goals and 9-of-10 free throws. Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Mathiang (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks) provided support, while Pinder (21 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Perth. New Zealand held Cotton (13 points) to 3-of-14 shooting and won 89-78, collecting its first victory in Perth since 2021 and improving to 11-13 despite Lamb suffering a season-ending Achilles injury during the opening quarter.

Cheatham (15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks across 19 games) gave New Zealand an athletic scorer and rebounder who could defend multiple positions and play alongside either Delany or Mathiang in the frontcourt. Jackson-Cartwright (20.6 points and 5.8 assists) and Lamb (19.5 points and 6 rebounds) led the offence, while Rubstavicius (9.4 points) and McDowell-White (9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists) provided further support.

New Zealand secured its place in the post-season against Brisbane at Spark Arena on February 16, where Cheatham (19 points) made 7-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 free throws. Jackson-Cartwright (27 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), Le’Afa (15 points and 3 steals), Rubstavicius (12 points) and Delany (11 points) helped the Breakers shoot 58.5 per cent from the field, overcoming Josh Bannan’s 29 points and 4 rebounds as New Zealand won 103-87.

The Breakers finished the regular season with a 13-15 record after recovering from an 8-12 position in January. Sydney, New Zealand and Brisbane each finished with the same record, with points percentage placing the Kings fifth, the Breakers sixth and the Bullets seventh.

New Zealand travelled to Qudos Bank Arena to face Sydney in the Play-In Qualifier on February 28, where Cheatham injured his ankle during the second quarter but returned to finish with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Jackson-Cartwright (34 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led the Breakers, while Jaylen Adams (18 points) and DJ Hogg (17 points) paced Sydney. New Zealand forced 19 turnovers and outscored the Kings 45-29 during the second half to win 83-76, eliminating the two-time defending champions and advancing to the second Play-In game.

The Breakers then faced Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on March 4, where Cheatham (14 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 steal) made 5-of-9 from the field. Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Mathiang (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks), Le’Afa (11 points and 3 steals) and Rubstavicius (11 points) kept New Zealand within striking distance, but Justin Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Sam Froling (21 points and 9 rebounds) led Illawarra to an 88-85 victory, ending the Breakers’ season one game short of the semifinals.

Following the season, Cheatham (to Nagoya Diamond Dolphins) departed New Zealand after completing his one-year contract.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2025/26
Mike Wells’ first season as Adelaide coach ended with the 36ers sixth at 13-15, before they defeated Sydney 95-88 in the Play-In Qualifier and lost 85-75 to South East Melbourne. Adelaide moved into 2025/26 without Kendric Davis (to Sydney), Sunday Dech (to Perth), Lat Mayen (to Perth), Nick Marshall (to Tasmania) and Jason Cadee (retired), while Dejan Vasiljevic, Isaac Humphries, Keanu Rasmussen and Ben Griscti remained from the previous season’s group.

Looking to move back into championship contention, Wells recruited Bryce Cotton (via Perth), Flynn Cameron (via Melbourne), Isaac White (via Brisbane), Michael Harris (via Perth), Matt Kenyon (via South East Melbourne), Zylan Cheatham (via Nagoya) and Nick Rakocevic (via Puerto Rico).

The 36ers signed Cheatham to a one-year deal after the forward contacted Wells about returning to the NBL once he saw Cotton join Adelaide. Cheatham arrived from the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, where he averaged 12.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists across 60 games, and reunited with Wells after the pair previously worked together at Utah.

Adelaide began the season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on September 28, where Cheatham (8 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) controlled the glass and helped the 36ers defeat Brisbane 87-80. Cotton (39 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Humphries (13 points and 6 rebounds) provided the scoring, while Casey Prather (20 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) led the Bullets.

Cheatham (12 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 42 games) started every game during his first season in Adelaide, giving the 36ers a powerful rebounder and secondary ball-handler who could defend multiple positions and create for teammates from the forward spots.

Cheatham came within one assist of a triple-double at John Cain Arena on October 26, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists on seven-of-nine shooting, but Tyson Walker made a three-pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining to give Melbourne an 81-80 win. Cotton (22 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) and Humphries (18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) supported Cheatham, while Jesse Edwards (25 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) led United as Adelaide fell to 5-2.

His best regular-season game came against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena on November 13, where Cheatham (27 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) made nine of 12 field goals and three of four three-pointers as Adelaide defeated the JackJumpers 97-86. Vasiljevic (14 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) and Cotton (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Tyger Campbell (20 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led Tasmania as the 36ers collected their fifth win from six road games.

Troy Brown Jnr (4.6 points and 4.5 rebounds across 13 games; via Puerto Rico) joined Adelaide as its third import in November before leaving in January for personal reasons, with John Jenkins (9.7 points across 18 games) initially signed as an injury replacement for Griscti before filling the vacant import position.

Adelaide rewarded Cheatham’s early impact on December 21 by signing him to a two-year extension, keeping one of the team’s key defensive and rebounding pieces with the 36ers for another two seasons.

On January 4, Cheatham (17 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) narrowly missed another triple-double as Adelaide recovered from an early deficit to defeat Brisbane 97-86 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Cotton (23 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Cameron (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped the 36ers secure their first win at the venue since February 2021 and improve to 19-4, while Terry Taylor (18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Bullets.

Cheatham’s season also included a $585 fine after he accepted an early guilty plea for engaging in the late-January melee against Brisbane, although he avoided suspension.

Cotton (25.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals across 41 games) led Adelaide in scoring and playmaking, while Humphries (12.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 42 games), Cameron (11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 42 games), Vasiljevic (10.7 points across 42 games) and Rakocevic (8.8 points and 6.5 rebounds across 39 games) completed the main rotation around Cheatham.

Cheatham was selected to the All-NBL Second Team with 23 votes and received Adelaide’s Defensive Award. Cotton won his sixth Andrew Gaze Trophy, earned All-NBL First Team selection and claimed the Mark Davis club MVP and Members’ Choice awards, while Cameron was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player and received Adelaide’s Most Improved award, Humphries collected the Coaches Award and Rakocevic received the Chairman’s Award.

Adelaide’s last regular-season game was played at RAC Arena on February 20, where Cheatham (11 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist) completed another double-double, but Perth defeated the 36ers 86-74. Rakocevic (18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) and Cameron (10 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) also contributed, while Elijah Pepper (22 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Wildcats as Adelaide finished second with a 23-10 record.

The inaugural Ignite Cup Final followed two days later, where Cheatham (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks), Cotton (34 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Rakocevic (21 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Adelaide, but Parker Jackson-Cartwright (29 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) guided New Zealand to a 111-107 win and was named Ignite Cup MVP.

Adelaide began its semifinal series at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre with a 104-97 win over South East Melbourne, with Cheatham (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists) contributing alongside Cotton (42 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Vasiljevic (17 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal). Nathan Sobey (23 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix.

The Phoenix responded at John Cain Arena, where Cheatham (12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks), Cotton (29 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Rakocevic (18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) led Adelaide, but Sobey (41 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) made eight three-pointers and John Brown III (12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) helped South East Melbourne win 101-92 and force a deciding game.

Game three returned to Adelaide, where Cheatham (7 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) controlled the glass as Cotton (38 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists), Vasiljevic (27 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Rakocevic (14 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block) led the 36ers to a 108-96 win. Ian Clark (32 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) and Sobey (17 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) led the Phoenix as Adelaide reached its first Championship Series in eight years.

The Championship Series opened at Qudos Bank Arena, where Cheatham (5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), White (11 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) and Humphries (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) led Adelaide, but Davis (25 points, 1 rebound, 7 assists, and 1 steal) and Tim Soares (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) carried Sydney to a 112-68 win, the largest margin in Championship Series history.

Game two moved to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, where Cheatham (7 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal), Cotton (28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) and Cameron (17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) led the 36ers. Davis (20 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Xavier Cooks (18 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Sydney before Cotton made a left-handed lay-up at the buzzer to give Adelaide a 91-89 win and end the Kings’ 14-game winning streak.

Game three returned to Sydney, where Cheatham (17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), Jenkins (22 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) and Cotton (15 points, 3 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Adelaide, but Davis (34 points, 2 rebounds, and 15 assists) controlled the game without committing a turnover and Cooks (18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) helped the Kings win 106-93.

Facing elimination in game four, Cheatham (23 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) came within one assist of a triple-double, with Cotton (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 12 assists) and Vasiljevic (19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) helping Adelaide defeat Sydney 92-91. Davis (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists) and Jaylin Galloway (20 points and 1 assist) kept the Kings close before Torrey Craig split his free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining and Humphries secured the rebound to force a fifth game.

Game five was played at Qudos Bank Arena, where Soares (20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) grabbed the offensive rebound and made the tying putback with 4.6 seconds remaining before Sydney outscored Adelaide 18-6 in overtime and won 113-101 in front of 18,589 fans. Davis (35 points, 1 rebound, 14 assists, and 1 steal) was named Championship Series MVP and Cooks (19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) also starred, while Cotton (35 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Adelaide. Cheatham (15 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) scored all six of Adelaide’s overtime points across 37:59 minutes in the loss.

2026/27
Following Adelaide’s 3–2 Championship Series loss to Sydney, head coach Mike Wells stepped down in May 2026, with the club appointing five-time NBL championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson to a three-year deal. Dejan Vasiljevic (to New Zealand) and Michael Harris departed, while Bryce Cotton, Zylan Cheatham, Flynn Cameron, Isaac Humphries, Nick Rakocevic, Isaac White, Ben Griscti and John Jenkins III remained. Bul Kuol (via Sydney), Matt Kenyon, Jacob Rigoni (via Sturt), Harvey White (via Colorado Mesa) and Deonte Williams (via Bankstown) joined the roster.

The 36ers opened NBL27 at John Cain Arena against Melbourne United on September 19, winning 97–95 behind Cotton (29 points and 7 assists), Cheatham (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Isaac White (10 points), while Cole Anthony (30 points), Joe Ingles (12 points and 7 assists) and Luke Travers (11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists) led United. Adelaide was without John Jenkins III and Isaac Humphries, while Flynn Cameron suffered an ankle injury and Nick Rakocevic fouled out.

Adelaide started 2–1 but then lost three consecutive games, including a 96–91 home defeat to Melbourne on October 7. Cheatham was held scoreless for most of the game before scoring eight late points as Adelaide narrowed the margin.

On October 11, Cheatham (10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists) helped Adelaide defeat defending champions Sydney 84–78 at Afterpay Arena, ending the Kings’ 3–0 start to the season. John Jenkins III (20 points), Bryce Cotton (17 points, 8 assists and 2 steals), Nick Rakocevic (16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists) and Matt Kenyon (11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists) supported Adelaide, while Xavier Cooks (22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists) and Kendric Davis (16 points and 7 assists) led Sydney. The result improved Adelaide’s record to 3–4.

Zylan Cheatham — NBL27 video shared by John Casey

Zylan Cheatham — Best Plays of NBL26 (2025/26)

Watch Zylan Cheatham’s official NBL26 season highlights on YouTube

Zylan Cheatham currently plays for the Adelaide 36ers and has played 69 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 13 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists since entering the league in 2023.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Adelaide 36ers – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)

HIGHLIGHTS: