Cadee: The NBL1 is what "basketball is supposed to be"

Feature image via: Trent Schwartz

NBL1 North Finals MVP Jason Cadee revealed his appreciation for the game and how the NBL1 brings back his best memories.

The Gold Coast Rollers star and fan favourite said his time in the NBL1 is not a chore, but simply an enjoyable way of ticking his body over.  

“For me, it keeps me playing, I’m not a person that just loves sitting out for periods of time. I get my rest throughout the NBL1 season, for me it’s a way of almost ticking my body over,” Cadee said.

“I just love playing, so for me, it helps me keep playing to stay in shape and so I roll into NBL preseason just ready to go.”

Cadee signed with the Adelaide 36ers for the upcoming NBL24 season and said his time in the NBL1 North gives him time to reflect on why he loves the game.

“I just love it, it’s what basketball is supposed to be. Before money and business got involved,” Cadee said.

“It takes me back to the older days where there’s kids running out on the court, and I enjoy that atmosphere.”

Jason Cadee went ??? for the Rollers, guiding them to victory with a staggering:

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Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/3idIOfi6rP

— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 21, 2023

Multiple NBL players were out last year during the 2022 Coles Express NBL1 National Finals, due to the clashing timetable of NBL23.

Cadee stated if the Rollers had their full squad (Tanner Krebs, DJ Mitchell and Cadee all unavailable), they would have gotten the ball over the line.

“Our depth of talent, our depth of the young kids playing in it, I just don’t see how anyone would’ve beaten us (in the National Finals)” Cadee said.

“No doubt it would’ve been close, but we had a very good team.”

The Gold Coast Rollers are in second place on the ladder with a 9-2 record, with Cadee leading the team in points and assists with an average of 27.7 points, 10.8 assists and 7.2 rebounds.

WATCH THE GOLD COAST ROLLERS VS USC RIP CITY LIVE & FREE VIA KAYO FREEBIES HERE

Praising the talent in the NBL1 North when asked on whether Gold Coast will be able to claim the National Championship in Joondalup from August 18-20, the Rollers’ guard revealed it will be a tight stretch to the finish line.

“We’ve got to get through the North first. The North is good, there’s a lot of good teams,” he said.

“We’re slowly starting to find our way again as like last year it’s been a bit of a mix. Tanner looks like he’ll be out for the rest of the season, but I think we’ll find our way.

“I think we’ll be really competitive and tough bet,” he said.

The Coles Express NBL1 National Finals will take place in Joondalup, WA from August 18-20. For more information, click here.