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Ninnis took over as interim coach, after CJ Burton stepped away at the back end of the 2023/2024 NBL season, and was later offered that very deal.

The sacked coach has since released a statement, stating he was “blindsided”.

“It’s been a very difficult few days for myself and my family,” Ninnis wrote.

“I was completely blindsided by Monday’s news, just 11 days into pre-season.

“The incredible support that I’ve received from current NBL coaches and players both past and present, as well as 36ers legends, family and friends, club sponsors and the South Australian basketball community has been overwhelming.

“I’ve put my heart and soul into this club for nearly half my life and I’m deeply disappointed and hurt by this outcome.

“I walk out with my head held high knowing what I achieved at the end of last season and what I was putting in place for the season ahead.

“I’ll share more in the future. I have a two-year contract with the club which I expected to be honoured. For now, this matter is in the hands of my legal team.”

On Monday, 36ers chief executive officer Nic Barbato spoke of the challenges the club believed led to the need to cut ties with Ninnis.

“In those six months, we wanted to give every chance to succeed and it became clear to us that those standards weren’t being met on a consistent basis,” Barbato told reporters on Monday.

“As an organisation we wanted to give every ability for Scott to improve, to learn to adapt and that didn’t happen in our view.

“There’s been challenges pretty much from day one of the six months. If we’re honest with each other, there’s been a constant challenge.

“We’ve decided it’s better to make this call early. In the past we haven’t done that, we’ve let that go when we have had doubts. We’ve made the call early to give ourselves the best chance to succeed this season.”

Ninnis will be replaced by 36ers assistant coach Mike Wells.