Marc excited to join forces with pal AJ

PETALING JAYA: Westports Malaysia Dragons’ star combo guard Marcus Marshall is excited to finally have a chance to suit up alongside former university teammate Allen Jeffrey “AJ” West in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

Both 23-year-olds, the Dragons’ latest recruits, were on the same team – University of Nevada at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

But they have never played together as the 1.91m Marshall was a transfer student from Missouri State University and sat out the 2015-2016 season while West departed after 10 games that year.

“It’s pretty exciting to have AJ on the team. I’ve never played with him because I was a transfer student but we kicked it off during school,” said Marshall.

“I’ve only played with him in practice and we trained together during open gym ... he’s a really funny guy to have on the team.

“But he’s good on the pick-up, a tough guy and great rebounder.

“He’s definitely someone we need especially if we are to compete with the other big guys in the league.”

The 2.06m West who featured for Uruguayan club Atletico Bigua earlier this year where he averaged 14.6 points and 11.1 rebounds is certainly an improvement for the Dragons, who are one of the league’s worst in rebounds.

Meanwhile Marshall, who missed the Dragons’ 90-107 defeat to Thailand’s Mono Vampire on Dec 2 due to a hamstring injury, believes he is fully recovered and ready for action.

“I’m doing well during the team’s break this month. I went home to Minnesota where I spent time with my family,” said Marshall, who started the season on a bang by scoring a league record 60 points in Dragons’ stunning 116-112 win over Mono on Nov 26.

“It was a good breather but I’m ready for the next game.

“I badly wanted to be back and I’m excited to finish up the rest of the season.”

The Dragons, who are sixth in the nineteam league with a 1-2 record, travel to Manila on Jan 3 to face Tanduay Alab Pilipinas.