Dickel backing his Neighbour

Canterbury Rams coach Mark Dickel has thrown his support behind struggling English import Will Neighbour and isn’t considering making a roster change.

Power forward-centre Neighbour has made a subdued start to his National Basketball League career, averaging 10.3 points on 38 per cent shooting and six rebounds, in the Rams first three games.

Eyebrows were raised when the Rams decided to go with an English overseas player with predominantly Americans and sometimes Australians favoured by clubs.

Neighbour, 26, enjoyed a solid three-year US collegiate stint at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he averaged 16 points per game and just under seven rebounds in his senior year in 2013-14.

In Thursday’s 94-85 loss to title favourites Wellington Saints at Cowles Stadium, Neighbour was restricted to eight points and four boards in 16 minutes, picking up four fouls.

Dickel said the 2.08m Neighbour was adjusting to the NBL refereeing, fouling out in their opening two games. He backed him to start making an impact for the 1-2 Rams, who are away to the Nelson Giants [0-2] on Saturday night.

‘‘I’m not giving up on the guy because I really believe in him. This isn’t the kind of scenario, where we’re trying to make changes. I really like our roster,’’ Dickel said.

‘‘I have huge confidence in the guy. He can hoop. He played really well in division one in college and that’s a much higher level than our league. If he can play well there, he can play well here.’’

Dickel took responsibility for Neighbour’s quiet start. He had to find a way to get the outside shooting big man more looks.

‘‘He’s not a big, strong physical player. [The referees] tend to give him the worst of each call. It’s a matter of him realising and adjusting to the referees and trying to work that out.’’

Apart from a sloppy three minute patch in the first quarter, where they allowed Wellington too many easy baskets in transition, Dickel was relatively pleased with their play against the Saints.

Wellington were the ‘‘barometer’’ for the rest of the league and the Rams knew the standard they needed to be at. Dickel believed his side were ahead of where they were in the opening few games last season.

Canterbury’s American point guard Jeremy Kendle, who poured in 70 points on their away doubleheader last weekend, was heavily marked by the Saints, who frustrated him. Kendle was held to just 10 points on 4/13 shooting and Dickel said no-one took the loss tougher than him.

Nelson will be desperate to open their account after a 38 point blowout on the road to Southland last weekend and a 17-point loss to Taranaki in their home opener.

Regardless of their record, the Giants commanded respect and were always a difficult proposition at home, Dickel said.

‘‘We realise we can’t allow ourselves to get into a ditch and be 1-3. This is a must-win game for us and we’re approaching it like that.’’

Giants forward Finn Delany, who impressed in his first full Australian NBL campaign for the New Zealand Breakers, was high on the Rams scouting report.

Delany is one of New Zealand basketball’s rising stars and Dickel said he could do it all.

‘‘We’re going to have to kind of [guard him] by committee.’’