Mentor and student to meet again
IMPOSING big man Majok Majok could well have been a Taipan.
Now, settled as a New Zealand Breaker after deciding to move his career across the ditch, the Melbourne United championship centre is looking forward to taking on an old mentor tonight in Auckland.
During the off-season the basketball rumour mill had Majok signed, sealed and delivered to Cairns at one point.
New Taipans coach Mike Kelly clarified the club’s pursuit of the West Australian earlier this week, declaring there was initial interest but when the Breakers entered the picture, Majok, who was playing in the NZ NBL at the time, was always likely to end up with the Kiwis.
Being coached by Kevin Braswell at the Wellington Saints and now the Breakers played a big part in the South Sudan product’s decision.
“One of the things I was looking at was the coaches and in New Zealand and Cairns, I had good relationships with both coaches,” Majok said.
“It ended up being the best situation for myself in New Zealand and that was what I ended up going with.
“Mike and I had a good relationship and it will be good to go against him.”
Kelly and Majok both joined the rebranded United in 2015 and developed a close-knight bond, culminating in last season’s title, before they both moved on from Victoria.
“I love Majok, he plays really hard,” Kelly said.
“We got pretty close, he is a great guy and I see him as a guy that will continue to develop hi game ... he got snapped up pretty quickly.”