Honest Humphries Primed for NBL24

We often hear athletes wax lyrical about how primed and ready they are for the upcoming season. For Adelaide’s Isaac Humphries though, he’s happy to be repeating those sentiments with more truth than ever before.

The former Atlanta Hawk has rejoined former side Adelaide following a one-season stint with Melbourne United. After two seasons beset my consistent injury issues, he returned to his best. He missed five games for the season – a number of those due to Covid, and led the NBL in blocked shots per game.

Humphries – along with import forward Jacob Wiley – is now back with his former side with a point to prove.

“I think I’ve got a lot of ingredients for a really good season, and I’m feeling really good,” Humphries said. “And I’m not lying this time.

“I get to be truthful about that. I know in the press and the media I’ve said I felt good for a lot of years, but I hadn’t. I feel really good now and I can honestly say I feel really healthy and good.

“I don’t like to be dishonest, but sometimes you’ve got to keep things personal. I was going through a lot of stuff at that time in my life and I just didn’t really want all that out there at the time with my injuries, so it was easier to say I was all good.”

A key reason for Humphries’ return to fitness in NBL23 – and hopefully beyond – has been the work he has completed with trainer Nik Popovic.

Following confirmation of Humphries’ return to the club, it was announced Popovich would himself be returning to the NBL as Adelaide’s head of high performance.

He had previously spent time working with the West Sydney Razorbacks, Sydney Kings, South Dragons and Melbourne United.

“As soon as I finished up with the Boomers after last season I went to LA and trained with Pop,” Humphries said.

“We had a relationship prior to this and I trained a lot with him in my off-season.

“It’s been a good couple of years. This of-season was dedicated to getting my body right again and getting my mind right again, and seeing friends and family as well.

“I think a lot of people forget about the mental side of things with pro-athletes. I obviously very publicly had my fair share of mental battles … I definitely needed a rest.

“I had missed my family. Spending that time with the [and] getting my body even better was really beneficial for me.”

Adelaide’s NBL24 campaign will open on Friday, September 29 against Brisbane.