United race to fill void
MELBOURNE United has whittled down its search for Casey Prather’s replacement to three, with a decision expected to be made as early as today.
Unfortunately for the 8-6 NBL powerhouse it is “highly unlikely” the mid-season recruit will be available for United’s open-air Boxing Day blockbuster against Brisbane Bullets.
Prather will miss up to eight weeks after dislocating his elbow against Illawarra in Wollongong.
United chief executive Vince Crivelli said the replacement should be available for the Sydney Kings game on December 30.
“We’re definitely looking for a guy that can play a three spot (small forward) for us, a good athlete, strong, good competitor, who can run all night,” Crivelli said.
“From a basketball perspective all three guys we’re talking to have got their own version of a skill set that we need and it’s just a matter of which one we settle on.”
Prather, a two-time NBL champion with Perth, had been in United and league most valuable player form, averaging 18 points and 5.4 rebounds before breaking down.
His ability to impact at both ends of the floor made Prather a difficult match-up for opposition coaches.
“He’s genuinely a two-way player that can play multiple positions,” Crivelli said.
“It’s going to be very difficult to find anybody this time of the year that can come in and do that with the same impact.”
Prather’s absence opens the door for United young guns Pete Hooley and Craig Moller to stake a claim on court-time tonight against Adelaide 36ers and the Bullets on Boxing Day.
United coach Dean Vickerman has stopped short of ruling Prather out completely for the remainder of the NBL season.
“Hard to look forward and then see if he can (get back in time for finals), I know he’ll do absolutely everything he can,” Vickerman said.
United leant on Dallas Mavericks director of player personnel Tony Ronzone, a friend of the club and man responsible for finding Casper Ware and Josh Boone, to help identify potential free agents and fast-track the recruitment process.