SUPERCATS TO DRAW ON DEPTH AS SEASON TIPS OFF WITH ‘NO EXCUSES’
HEAD coach Justin Schueller’s new-look Geelong Supercats team will be stacked with talent, but missing some key parts, when NBL1 tips off this Saturday.
Former Duke basketball captain and Melbourne United player Jack White was one of the first player signings to be announced, before a devastating achilles tendon injury suffered in an NBL game put an end to any hopes of seeing him suit up for the Supercats in 2021.
“It’s definitely disappointing for us and for Jack, but we will be transitioning him in to be part of our coaching team for this year, so he will still remain an important part of our group,” Schueller said.
“Jack is someone that we see being with the Supercats for a long time.
“When Geelong brought me across, my goal was to build a foundation group that we can carry through for a number of years.
“Our goal for 2021 was to bring people in who can be part of the program long term.”
Liam McInerney and Ma’alo Hicks return to the Supercats for another season and there is no shortage of recognisable names on the roster.
NBL names such as Shea Ili, Jo Lual-Acuil, George Blagojevic and Isaac Turner will get fans excited.
Schueller is also excited about the depth of the young local players coming through.
Players such as Josiah King, Wang Nyeith and Jordan O’Leary have been part of the Geelong Youth League program and have stepped up into the NBL1 team.
Along with players fresh from US College Gabe Hadley and Jack McDonald, the Supercats have added Owen Odigie and Mawut Deng to the roster for the 2021 season.
“We feel good that we are deep in our talent, and that we have every piece covered,” Schueller said.
With a number of players unavailable for the first few rounds of competition due to NBL commitments, that depth will be needed as the season begins.
“It’s obviously not ideal, we’d love to have everyone from start to end,” Schueller said. “The way we look at it, is that when those (NBL) guys are around it’s a bonus, when they’re not around, there’s no excuses.
“When we’re at full strength we’ll obviously have a target on our back, but we want it to be like that all the time.”
The Supercats play Knox Raiders at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday for the opening game of the season.
Games can be live streamed via nbl1.com.au