Photo: Adelaide 36ers Media

Adelaide head coach CJ Bruton has confirmed – injury or unavailability notwithstanding – new Next Star Trentyn Flowers will be the side’s starting point guard come the opening round of the NBL24 season.

Flowers is the eighth player to commit to the NBL Next Stars program, and despite being heavily recruited as a wing player out of high school, is looking to return to his roots as a point guard with the 36ers.

Bruton’s side already boasted strong point guard pedigree in their ranks ahead of Flowers’ recruitment, in the form of NBL veterans Mitch McCarron and new signing Jason Cadee. But they're backing their emerging youngster to stand tall. 

“Yeah … 100 per cent,” Bruton said when asked if Flowers will start at the point position.

“Anyone with that sort of athleticism and youth, you want to let them do their thing. There’s a time where we need to slow him down and have time to let him go.

“You’ve Josh Giddey and you’ve watched LaMelo Ball be first round picks, for someone like Trentyn with his build, his size and his athleticism, he’s on the trajectory to be there as well.

“To be able to be that first guy take that journey and make that step, and help this program make the playoffs and showcase his talents along the way, there’s nothing better.”

Flowers has already begun to integrate himself into the roster since arriving in Adelaide just three days ago, and made his way to the gym almost immediately after landing in the country.

Bruton revealed in a press conference last week he felt the opportunity to sign the young guard had passed, but Flowers' signing couldn't be more exciting. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Flowers Family is in the house ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSixers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSixers</a> <a href="https://t.co/o1hxiGaFb7">pic.twitter.com/o1hxiGaFb7</a></p>&mdash; Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1693467892032098457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Next Star says the opportunity the NBL can provide to play against bigger, stronger bodies was a key factor in his decision making process.

“Somebody told me it’s a lot different playing college basketball,” Flowers said of playing professionally.

“In college basketball you’re playing against teenagers or men that are 20 or 21. Coming out here you’re playing against grown men.

“Coming out here I want to be a successful NBA player, so being able to get that bump a little bit early, I thought it would be better for me and my game.

“I’m expecting for it to be physical, but I’m a physical player myself. I’m going at everybody just as hard so I’m looking forward to it.

“For me it was being able to be the best pro I can be and, going forward, what the best step was for me in my career. I just thought this was the best option.”

Fans’ first opportunity to see Flowers in action will come at the upcoming NBL Blitz before the 36ers open their new season against Brisbane on Friday, September 29.