The Adelaide 36ers are mourning the passing of club great Ken Cole. A member of both the Adelaide 36ers and Australian Basketball Halls of Fame, Ken passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 82, after battling cancer for more than a decade. Despite his illness, Ken continued to support the Sixers on their way to the playoffs this season, attending numerous matches in his role as the club's number one ticket holder. Adelaide 36ers Executive Chairman Grant Kelley said Ken would be dearly missed by many and would leave a lasting legacy in the game in this country. 'Ken was a truly extraordinary person,' Mr Kelley said. 'His energy and positivity never wavered, nor did his passion for basketball and for the Adelaide 36ers, despite his ongoing health issues. Of course, Ken was an incredible basketballer in his own right before moving into coaching, subsequently leading one of the most successful chapters in the history of the Adelaide 36ers. After some time overseas, he returned to be the President of Adelaide Basketball in 2018 to continue our club's growth and has since 2021 been courtside at almost every home game as our number one ticket holder. In occasionally difficult times, he was a bridge between the past and present. A kindly word from Ken was invariably magical. His knowledge of the game and ability to convey a message were unique. On a personal note, I will miss his wisdom and friendship enormously, and I know his loss will be felt by deeply by the Australian basketball community. On behalf of the Adelaide 36ers, my family and I send our deepest condolences to Ken's wife Pauline, his children Kimberley, Kelly, and Julian, and his many friends around the world.