Perth Searching for Gold Nuggets in NZ

Friday, May 19, 2023

Perth head coach John Rillie has travelled to Dunedin this week, to catch up with the Otago Nuggets of the NZNBL.

The Nuggets – who currently sit top of the ladder with a 7-1 record – employ Perth development players Jack Andrew and Michael Harris, and assistant coach Gerard Martin.

Harris has averaged 19.4 points per game for the Nuggets so far this season, while Andrew is adding just under six points per game for the side.

“Obviously the Nuggets have their own core of people running the franchise over here, but it’s a collaborative effort and there’s benefits for both sides,” Rillie told the Otago Daily Times of the relationship between the two clubs.

“For the Perth Wildcats, we get to send some players over here to grow and develop, [and] the last two years we’ve had some of our assistant coaches as part of the program.

“I watch all the games, so I feel like I have a good understanding of what Brent (head coach Brent Matehaere) is trying to achieve because the franchise has been successful over the last three, four years.”

Both the Wildcats and Nuggets are owned by the Sports Entertainment Network.

Rillie’s excursion across the ditch goes further than the mutual relationship between the Wildcats and Nuggets. As the newest NBL season approaches, he’s also looking for talent.

There are plenty of players familiar with the NBL landscape currently plying their trade in New Zealand. Uncontracted New Zealand Breaker Sam Timmins and former Adelaide 36er Todd Withers are also members of the Nuggets, while former NBL journeyman Jeremy Kendle is experiencing a career resurgence with the Southland Sharks.

“Sam Timmins is someone that’s familiar with the Australian NBL, Todd Withers is experienced at that level, JaQuori (McLaughlin) is just embarking on his international career,” Rillie said.

“There’s a number of young prospects through all of this country that I’m keeping my eye one.

“We just signed Hyrum Harris from Hawke’s Bay. New Zealand has become a big player in the Australian NBL market.”