The Otago Nuggets have added another piece to the puzzle, with former Christchurch Cougars swingman Mark Morrison agreeing to join the franchise.
The Cougars' decision to pull out of the National Basketball League following the February 22 earthquake in Christchurch left players looking for another team.
The Nuggets set their sights on point guard Jeremy Kench and experienced small forward Kevin Smith. But with Kench signing for the Manawatu Jets and Smith opting to link up with the newly formed Auckland Pirates, the Nuggets switched tack and convinced Morrison to relocate to Dunedin.
The 26-year-old real estate agent was considering skipping the season after becoming involved in a pay dispute, which has since been resolved, with Cougars owners Andrew and Amy Gardiner.
However, the earthquake has caused a rethink and he will move to Dunedin next week before the Nuggets' opening game against Auckland on April 13.
"I wasn't intending on playing but had sort of been in touch on and off with the Nuggets since late last year. I guess the opportunity came up more seriously in the weekend," he said.
"There were a number of factors. I work in real estate and with the recent events in Christchurch things are a little quiet at the moment. So I thought, 'Hey, life is short'. I was keen to play again so I thought I may as well come down and the Otago opportunity seemed like a good one to me."
Morrison, who is 2m tall and has more than 100 NBL matches under his belt, is looking forward to linking up with Tall Black Craig Bradshaw, American imports Lance Allred and Scott O'Gallagher and captain Sam To'omata. But there are no promises. He will have to earn a spot in the starting five with likes of Riki Buckrell and Tom Rowe competing for court time.
Morrison made his NBL debut for the now defunct Canterbury Rams in 2004. He had five seasons with the Rams and then a stint with the Hawks in 2009, before returning to Christchurch last year to play for the Cougars.
Morrison will miss the Nuggets' pre-season match against the Sharks in Invercargill tonight. Bradshaw will also sit the game out. He tweaked a hamstring and coach Alf Arlidge said he would not risk his marquee player.
Allred and O'Gallagher will make their debut for the franchise and most of the squad should get a run, with Arlidge wanting to get a good look at as many different combinations as possible before the season gets under way.
"Lance is going to be a big presence in the paint for us and is going to collect us a lot of rebounds, and Scott looks exciting.
"I think with the three-point shooting we saw from Scott at practice and his ability to drive to the hole and dish, he is going to be really, really good."
Nuggets squad
To play Southland
Sam To'omata, Lance Allred, Scott O'Gallagher, Riki Buckrell, James Ross, Tom Rowe, Matt Trueman, Sam King, Hayden Miller, Adam Dunstan, Ollie Smith, Damon Cleverley
