At a glance
‘‘Any team that has Mika on it, you can never discount.’’
Dillon Boucher
Week one schedule : Tuesday 5.30pm: 7.30pm: Wednesday 5.30pm: 7.30pm: Thursday 5.30pm: 7.30pm: Saturday 5.30pm: 7.30pm: Sunday 5.30pm: 7.30pm:
first round, then forward Hyrum Harris in the second. Vodanovich will be one of the best players and Harris, who has made huge strides in the past few years, could also take the tournament by storm. ‘‘I think they’ve got their core group together, and then they’ve added some great pieces to it. [Vodanovich and Harris], I think they’re two of the up-and-coming players in the league.’’ Boucher expects guard Jayden Bezzant, back from Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho, to thrive. ‘‘He’s a dynamic player that New Zealanders don’t know a lot about. They’ll know his name after this tournament for sure.’’
NELSON GIANTS
Coach: Mike Fitchett
Squad: Mika Vukona, Mike Karena, Dane Brooks, Tom Ingham, Josh Bloxham, Nic Trathen, Riley Bensemann, Tysxun Aiolupotea, Zeb Lovell, Thane O’leary, Theo Johnson, Tommy Garguilo.
TAB title odds: $8
The lowdown: New Zealand basketball greatmika Vukona’s presence is a huge boost for the Giants. Between Vukona and big man Mike Karena, the Giants will be formidable defensively andwith their rebounding. Point guard Josh Bloxham returns to the Giants after several years away, and he’ll be important in orchestrating the offence. Guard Dane Brooks, who was set to play for Southland this season, after impressing at Taranaki, was a nice addition in the draft. ‘‘A lotwill come down to their guards and what a few of their guards can do,’’ Boucher says. ‘‘Any team that hasmika on it, you can never discount. He’ll die for
NBL Showdown pundit
this Nelson Giants team.’’
CANTERBURYRAMS Coach: Mick Downer
Squad: Taylor Britt, Alex Talma, Sam Smith, Toby Gillooly, Jack Exeter, Tom Cowie, Thomas Webley, Mac Stodart, Ben Carlile-smith, Mason Whittaker, (two players TBC).
TAB title odds: $4.50
The lowdown: Canterbury’s NBL Showdown title odds have taken a hit over the past weekwith Tall Blacks centre Jack Salt, a 2019 NCAA title winner at the University of Virginia, ruled out of the tournament through injury. It was a double blow for the Ramswith guard Joe Cook-green also succumbing to injury, leaving Canterburywithout two vital cogs. The Ramswill be working frantically behind the scenes to line up a replacement for Salt, but finding a player of his abilitywon’t be easy. Without Salt and Cook-green (both knee), Canterbury will need point guard Taylor Britt, Alex Talma, Sam Smith, and the rest of their young core to lead the way. ‘‘I feel like the Rams, their upper hand is that they’ve been able to train together. They’ve pretty much had their full roster together,’’ Boucher says.
OTAGONUGGETS
Coach: Brentmatehaere
Squad: Jordan Ngatai, Jarrod
Kenny, Jordan Hunt, Kane Keil, Josh Aitcheson, Benoit Hayman, Darcy Knox, Richie Rodger, Sam Aruwa, Akiva Mcbirney-griffin, Jack Andrew, Matthew Bardsley.
TAB title odds: $6.50
The lowdown: The Otago Nuggets joined the NBL Showdown at late notice and will be an intriguing outfit in Auckland. They had a fantastic draft, landing forward Jordan Ngatai with the first pick, then somehow scooping up veteran point guard Jarrod Kenny in the second round. The Tall Blacks duo will be leaders on court for the Nuggets and make their team-mates better. ‘‘You couldn’t script it any better if you’re the Otago Nuggets, picking up Jordan Ngatai and Jarrod Kenny, two very established Tall Blacks to start your roster,’’ Boucher says. The Nuggets have a handy collection of homegrown talents with guard Benoit Hayman, who has been playing pro ball in Switzerland, one to watch. He is a deadly three point shooter and one to watch.
Airs v Giants; Rams v Huskies
Jets v Nuggets;
Bulls v Airs
Nuggets v Giants; Bulls v Rams
Huskies v Jets; Rams v Airs
Bulls v Huskies; Giants v Jets