Who to watch and Snakes’ playing schedule for 2017/18
MICHAEL CARRERA #24
Age: 24 Height: 196cm Weight: 98kg Club/college background: South Carolina, Avtodor Saratov
The Snakes will need Carrera back as soon as possible. The import had knee surgery last week and is set to miss around a month. When he stayed on the court without foul trouble, Carrera was the focal point of the club’s offence and scored in several different ways. His over-the-top physicality and lip towards the refs will need to be reined in if he is going to play all four quarters.
JERRY EVANS JR
Age: 27 Height: 203cm
Weight: 95.2kg Club/college background: University of Nevada and Sandringham Sabres (SEABL)
The late recruit will be thrown into the deep end early in the season, starting with one of the best front courts in the NBL.
KUANY KUANY #7
Age: 23 Height: 201cm Weight: 91kg Club/college background: Chaminade, St. Kevin’s College
The rookie was signed on a two-year contract in the offseason. He was quickly sent to the Marlins in the QBL to prepare him for the NBL. He had some standout games in the QBL but also had others where he struggled which is to be expected for a rookie. With Carrera out for the first month of the season he could see more minutes.
MITCH MCCARRON #10
Age: 26 Height: 191cm Weight: 98kg Club/college background: Metro State, Palencia Baloncesto
The second-year guard looks on the verge of a breakout season. He barely had an offseason after playing in New Zealand, with the NBL-squad that travelled to China and the Australian Boomers. McCarron played big roles in those teams and his opportunities look set to multiply in the Far North this season too.
ALEX LOUGHTON #40
Age: 34 Height: 206cm Weight: 110kg Club/college background: Old Dominion, Aguas Gandia, Perth Wildcats, Ourense Baloncesto
Loughton could be in his final season in the NBL but will not limp to the line, he has shown he can still contribute at this level. The veteran forward loves to step out and hit a big three and get the crowd going.
SCOOCHIE SMITH #11
Age: 22 Height: 188cm Weight: 84kg Club/college background: Dayton, Boston Celtics
The rookie floor general has battled injury since landing in Australia but looked great in the second preseason game against Perth. Smith looks to be a more pass-first point guard than score first, which will work getting Jawai and Carrera shots where they want. He is likely to be compared to Travis Trice but they appear to have very different styles of games.
NNANNA EGWU #21
Age: 24 Height: 211cm Weight: 113kg Club/college background: Illinois, Super City Rangers
The reserve big man was quick to be contracted for another season in Cairns after his debut in Australia. Just plays his role in the squad, plays defence, rolls to the basket and dunks hard when he gets the chance. Coach Fearne always talks up Egwu’s importance to the team. There is not many better sights in the NBL than big Nnanna stepping out and hitting a three bomb.
STEPHEN WEIGH #13
Age: 30 Height: 200cm Weight: 105kg Club/college background: Utah, Perth Wildcats, Adelaide 36ers
Played in power forward in the QBL with the Marlins and will likely do the same over the summer. He can step out and shoot the three as well. With Michael Carrera hurt for the next month, Weigh will need to fill some of that void until the import returns. Back for another season as vice-captain.
CAMERON GLIDDON #3
Age: 28 Height: 196cm Weight: 90kg Club/college background: Avtodor Saratov, AZS Koszalin
Gliddon was voted by players to be the skipper for the fourth straight season. The shooting guard had a stint in Russia and played with the Australian Boomers at the Asia Cup. With others hurt during the preseason, Gliddon has directed traffic as well as looked to shoot the ball more. The club needs a big season from the captain.
JARRAD WEEKS #97
Age: 28 Height: 180cm Weight: 80kgs Club/college background: Sydney Kings, Team Ehingen Urspring, Wollongong Hawks
Weeks is set for an important season. He was asked to take on more of a scoring load in the QBL season to prepare for that role come NBL time. He has shot the ball well from deep in the preseason.
NATE JAWAI #15
Age: 30 Height: 209cm Weight: 139kg Club/college background: Barcelona, MoraBanc Andorra, Perth Wildcats
After an up and down first season back in the Far North, Jawai could be on the way to his best campaign in recent years. He had offseason surgery on his shoulder but has come back in terrific condition. Jawai looked to be more involved in offence in the two preseason games against Perth. The Snakes need their big man fit and firing.
DAMON HEUIR #6
Age: 26 Height: 191cm Weight: 91kg Club/college background: Southern Utah, Cairns Marlins
Massive numbers again in the QBL and early preseason NBL form has been solid. Carried the scoring load in a preseason game against Brisbane in Rockhampton. It will be interesting to see how much his role will increase.