Nuggets sign Australian, subject to approval
BASKETBALL
EFFORT, length and a willingness to learn.
That was how Otago Nuggets coach Brent Matehaere described the side’s new import Geremy McKay.
A 2m forward from Melbourne, McKay was revealed as the first of two Nuggets’ imports for this year’s National Basketball League, subject to a critical worker exemption being granted.
The 24yearold had been among a raft of import options for the Nuggets.
Matehaere said plenty of hopefuls had reached out in search of a contract, and the franchise had used agents to search for its own, too.
Interest in coming to the league had been strong, as many others around the world were still not playing or playing under restrictions due to Covid19.
McKay had ‘‘ticked a lot of the boxes’’ the Nuggets were looking for.
Having played division one college basketball in the United States, he has also spent time with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the Australian NBL.
Before that, he had played for Australia at the under19 World Cup and had come through the Melbourne Tigers club.
That all gave him valuable experience, but he retained a youthful drive.
Matehaere said the people the Nuggets had spoken with in Melbourne had said positive things about McKay and he felt the Australian would fit with the team well.
‘‘Obviously, the things you see on the highlights and watching whole games, he’s effort the whole time,’’ Matehaere said.
‘‘Effort on the rebounding side of things, we want to take care of the boards and get out and run.
‘‘Obviously we’ve got some talented guards who can get up the floor and offensively and defensively he’s going to be right up there in intensity.
‘‘He certainly suits the way we want to play the game.
‘‘He’s just wanting to play better, he’s wanting to get on his professional pathway.
‘‘I think it’s going to work well for both him and us.’’
McKay was the fifth import announced for the league.
Former American high school and college star Josh Selby has signed with the Franklin Bulls.
Deshon Taylor, who has spent time in the NBA summer league and with the Sydney Kings, will play for the Canterbury Rams.
Armoni Brooks and Daniel Alexander have signed with the Auckland Huskies and Southland Sharks, respectively.
It was unclear whether they would be granted an exemption from the Government to play.
The NBL had made a group application on behalf of all the teams and Matehaere hoped it would be successful.
Other confirmed players for the Nuggets are Sam Timmins, Matthew Bardsley and Pafe Momoisea.
THE Southland Sharks have added American Courtney Belger to their roster.
The experienced point guard joins fellow countryman Daniel Alexander to fill the side’s second import slot for this year’s National Basketball League.
Both are dependent on the NBL’s application for the critical worker exemption for their imports being successful.
Belger, who is from St Louis, has spent time in both Australia and Germany in recent years.
Most recently he has played for FC Schalke 04 in the German Pro A League, averaging 14 points, four assists and five rebounds per game.
He has played seven years in Germany, alongside three in the West Australian league.
Sharks’ head coach Rob
Beveridge’s coaching network led Belger to Invercargill.
‘‘Playing in Western Australia my strength and conditioning coach and some of the guys I went up against are all tight with Bevo and they obviously said some nice things, so when I got the call it all just fell into place,’’ Belger said.
‘‘I didn’t play this last season. ‘‘My wife [professional women’s player Ali Schwagmeyer] and I have been apart playing in different countries for a long time, so with the way the world is right now it was a good opportunity to watch her play and Sydney was one of the best situations.
‘‘I was looking at playing in one of the State Leagues, but to get to New Zealand and the Sharks is perfect.’’
The NBL’s submission for critical workers is currently being reviewed by Immigration New Zealand.
It is hoped players and coaches will arrive in late March through to midApril, in time for the competition’s April 24 tipoff.
The Sharks open their season on the road in Nelson on Monday, April 26. Their first home game at Stadium Southland against the Taranaki Mountainairs on Thursday, April 29.