Tara Murray
Keilor Thunder has sought to cover all bases as it prepares for its second National Basketball League 1 South men’s season.
After 10 wins in its first season, it will be a new look Thunder under Liam Glascott, who remains on as coach.
Glascott said they were excited by the team that they were putting together.
“Our imports [Evan Wardlow and Will Jenkin] give us more flexibility,” he said. “Both have good defensive backgrounds, I’ve been told by the scouts.
“We’ll have them arrive later this month.
“We’re aiming to be very competitive and to take some steps forward. We won 10 games last year, if you get 13 or 14 it gets you into the playoffs.
“I think we have enough talent to get 13 or 14.”
The most recent signing for the Thunder, has been one of their biggest with Melbourne United development player Zac Triplett returning to his home club.
Triplett played just five games for the Thunder last season after an arm injury, averaging 15 points a game.
Glascott said they were keen to see more from Triplett this season.
“He didn’t get to show his talents last season,” he said. “He came back for the last three or four games at the end.
“He’s had a whole season with Melbourne United. We want to help develop his game to get him more opportunities in the NBL.”
Triplett is one of three players signed by the Thunder so far with NBL experience.
Ollie Hayes Brown joins the club after finishing the season with the Perth Wildcats where he is a development player.
Glascott said they expected him to play a big role.
“Last time he played in the NBL1 South, he averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds similar to the stats of Jacob [Lampkin] last season.
“They’re different players. He’s a bigger guy and we’re hoping we can help him cement a spot in the NBL.”
Former Cairns Taipans player Robbie Heath also joins the Thunder, giving them some more depth.
Cirkook Riak, Carlo Camp and Rhyss Lewis all return from last season. Cooper Kirkman Brodie McWhinney, Nicholas Banon and Cooper Colson are some of the younger Thunder players who could get opportunities.
Charleston Long has retired, while Matt Spencer is joining the RMIT Redbacks.
Glascott said they were still looking to add another player to the squad, hopefully someone with NBL experience.
“This is what this level of basketball is about,” he said. ”NBL players can come back and play and work on their games and we look to continue to develop players.
The Thunder have a number of practice games lined up. With the imports and NBL players still to join the squad, the rest of the squad will get the chance to impress.
“I’m excited to see how they go,” Glascott said.
“We’ll play a handful of NBL1 teams and we’ll see if there’s anything we need.”
