Sharks add American import to roster
The Southland Sharks have signed American point guard Daishon Knight for the remainder of the 2022 New Zealand National Basketball League season.
Knight, who played for the Manawatu Jets for three seasons between 2018 and 2021, will link with the team this weekend ahead of the Sharks’ clash with his former team in Invercargill tomorrow.
The Sharks head into the game with a two-win seven loss record and a win over Manawatu is vital to make a potential run during the second half of the season to a topsix playoff spot.
‘‘I’m excited to come and join Southland. During my time in New Zealand they have always been a team that’s respected, and I reached out to some former players and they all told me how they loved it down here, that the people were great, and they all had amazing experiences,’’ Knight said.
‘‘I know it (the season) has started off rough, but we have time. We have nine more games left and we can make a run at it. Southland is a good team regardless, before I have come in. I know the players and I know they can play so we have time, and we can still do something special this year. I’m excited to take that on and help make it work,’’ he said.
Knight will join fellow American Winston Shepard and Jamaican Romaro Gill as the other imports in the Sharks setup. Since playing in last year’s Sal’s NBL, when Knight averaged over 23 points, six rebounds and five assists per game, he has played in Turkey, Switzerland and had two stints in Bulgaria.
Tomorrow’s Sharks-Jets game at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill will tip-off at 5pm.