Ili’s freakish abilities shine through for Sharks
At 1.83m tall Shea Ili is not all that imposing when surrounded by many of his peers on the basketball court.
However, do not be misled by his height – this kid can play.
His vertical leap can get him to heights many of his taller teammates and opposition cannot reach.
The 22-year-old Southland Sharks player is an athletic freak, and those abilities are starting to shine through bright and clear in the 2015 National Basketball League.
While many plaudits have been sent the way of the likes of Todd Blanchfield, Kevin Braswell and Tai Wesley this season, Ili has been building to the point his energy and skills have been a key factor in Southland winning three games on the trot. The latest impressive performance was against the Canterbury Rams in Invercargill on Saturday night.
His introduction changed the tone of the game as Southland trailed 25-21 after the first quarter but they went on to win 97-84.
His final haul of 12 points, five rebounds and six assists was an important contribution.
It is his second season with the Sharks and third in the NBL, after starting out with the Super City Rangers. Sharks coach Paul Henare said it was no fluke Ili was starting to stamp his mark on the New Zealand competition considering his work ethic, which included his time working with the Breakers during the 2014/15 Australian NBL season.
‘‘He is a fantastic kid. I love working with him,’’ Henare said.
‘‘Physically what he can do on the floor with his body is amazing – and what he has done in the last 12 months, with his experience with the Breakers and his time here, he is really learning the game and where he can make his mark on a game.
‘‘The thing I’ve been demanding from him is to really dominate on the practice floor and he is training the house down.
‘‘I’ve seen him train every day up at the Breakers and seen how hard he works training against Cedric Jackson and he is continuing to do that here with the Sharks.
‘‘What we are seeing on the floor is a product of that hard work and (Todd Blanchfield 24, Kevin Braswell 22, Tai Wesley 16,
(Richie Edwards 28, Sam Timmins 15, Ethan Shea Ili 12), Rusbatch 11, Jermaine Taylor 10).
25-21, 48-45, 67-58,
97-84 determination to better himself as a player and as a person as well.’’
Henare also paid tribute to Blanchfield’s showing in the win on Saturday night against Canterbury.
Blanchfield rolled his ankle at training on Thursday night and it was touch and go whether he would be fit enough to play.
He did take the court and was again a key contributor with a team high 24 points.
‘‘I talked the injury down before the game but it was pretty serious.
‘‘We basically rested him from training all the way up to game time.
‘‘We were never really sure if he was going to play but he showed some real toughness.’’
Henare is pleased Southland have an eight-day break to get Blanchfield right before they play next – against Hawke’s Bay in Invercargill on Sunday night.