Disgraced former Otago Nuggets captain Nat Connell is looking to relaunch his basketball career with the newly formed Christchurch Cougars.
Connell, who was suspended for six weeks last year along with Nuggets team-mate Steve Robinson after testing positive for cannabis, made a surprise appearance at the Cougars team trial during the weekend.
Connell got his start with the Canterbury Rams as a talented teenager before shifting north to Waikato.
He also had a stint with North Harbour before linking up with the Nuggets last season.
Since his suspension he has returned to Christchurch and told Cougars coach Andrew Gardiner he is keen to play in his home city again.
"I've been impressed with his attitude to date and know he is a good player from his time in Canterbury when I was also in the team," Gardiner told The Press.
"He is keen to play alongside Paul [Henare] and Paora [Winitana], and happy to back-up Pauli in the guard line."
