Nikau McCullough wants to be thrown into the fire again.
The opportunity to have the pressure and be there in the big moments had been part of what drew the guard to the Otago Nuggets.
It was a bold statement to make before he even got to Dunedin. But the 25-year-old was exceptional from start to finish, having something of a breakout season in blue and gold.
All going well, that has every chance of continuing next year.
"I’d love to run it back, honestly," an excited McCullough said on court following the win in Saturday’s final.
"The community down south is amazing. The coaches are amazing. The boys are the best.
"I’ve found a home. I feel like that’s where I want to be."
McCullough had played secondary roles in his first two years back from college, with the Franklin Bulls and Manawatu Jets.
He carried a much bigger load for the Nuggets, though. His 15.5 points per game came efficiently and, while this team shone in transition, he gave it a creator in the half-court.
As a spot-up shooter, he was exceptional.
But most notable was his ability in the mid-range and his ability to put his defender in jail — essentially trapping his defender on his back hip, so they could not guard him.
McCullough did all that in key moments, often generating offence and providing scoring when the team was in a dry patch.
He was thrilled to have had the opportunity to play the role he did.
"It’s a big ask, but it’s the moments I want to be in," he said.
"I think just shout out to the coaches for putting me in there and trusting me to be in there. It paid off."
He felt he was only getting better.
"Every game, I feel like I improve. Every chance I get to improve, I take it.
"The sky’s the limit at this point."
