At a glance
Round one draw:
■ Tonight 7.30pm: Nuggets v Saints at Edgar Centre, Dunedin
■ Tomorrow 7.30pm: Bulls v Huskies at Franklin Pool & Leisure Arena, Auckland
■ Monday 2pm: Giants v Sharks at Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
■ Thursday 7.30pm: Sharks v Airs at Stadium Southland, Invercargill
■ Friday 7.30pm: Saints v Rams at TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
■ Friday 7.30pm: Huskies v Jets at Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland (Live on Stuff)
■ Saturday May 1, 7.30pm: Nuggets v Airs at Edgar Centre, Dunedin
■ Saturday May 1, 7.30pm: Bulls v Jets at Franklin Pool & Leisure Arena, Auckland
■ Sunday May 2, 3pm: Hawks v Rams at Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier
*Stuff is the official media partner of the Sal’s NBL for 2021. Coverage of the league can be found at www. stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball
CANTERBURY RAMS
Coach: Mick Downer
Squad: Taylor Britt, Alex Talma, Jack Salt, Sam Smith, Joe CookGreen, Jack Exeter, Quintin Bailey, EJ Singler*, Deshon Taylor*, Ben Hall, Ben Constable, Derek Albertsen.
Verdict: The Rams had a miserable 2020 Showdown, finishing bottom after round play with a 4-10 record and losing star off-season signing Jack Salt to a serious knee injury on the eve of the tournament. With Salt recovered and ready for his first basketball action in nearly two years, the Rams loom as title contenders. They have nabbed two leading Americans in the well-travelled EJ Singler and point guard Deshon
Taylor. With Kiwis Taylor Britt, Joe Cook-Green, Alex Talma and Sam Smith in the mix, the Rams have the squad to make some noise. (BE) TAB title odds: $5
OTAGO NUGGETS
Coach: Brent Matehaere
Squad: Sam Timmins, Pafe Momoisea, Matt Bardsley, Darcy Knox, Akiva McBirney-Griffin, Aaron Roydhouse, Richie Rodger, Josh Aitcheson, Jack Andrew, Geremy McKay*, Isaiah Moss*. Verdict: The Nuggets were the feelgood New Zealand basketball story of 2020, returning to the court for the first time since 2014 and triumphing at the Showdown, led by Jordan Ngatai, Jarrod Kenny, and Jordan Hunt. Minus those three, the Nuggets don’t have the same level of expectation and will require others to step up. Homegrown talent Sam Timmins is back at the Nuggets and will be pivotal to their hopes. (BE) TAB title odds: $13
SOUTHLAND SHARKS
Coach: Rob Beveridge
Squad: Dom Kelman-Poto, Toby Gillooly, Alonzo Burton, Brayden Inger, Andrew Wheeler, Sione Helu, Connor Coll, Tom Cowie, Liam McRae, Cameron Archer, Ethan Mitchell, Josh Cunningham*, Courtney Belger*.
Verdict: Regular NBL pacesetters, the Sharks, are back after sitting out the Showdown. With experienced Australian Rob Beveridge at the helm they will be well coached and should be in the hunt for the finals. Dom Kelman-Poto has been one of the big NBL improvers in recent years and he’ll look to take another step forward. Toby Gillooly had a breakout campaign for the Rams last season and was a nice addition for the Sharks. (BE)
TAB title odds: $6.50