The 27-year-old United States import was released from the franchise on Wednesday and his replacement, John Barber jun, arrived in the city from Detroit at noon yesterday.
Barber (25) played 15 games for the Nelson Giants last year, averaging 10.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. In his senior year at Youngstown State University, in Ohio, he averaged 13.6 points and seven rebounds, and he played five games for the Utah Flash in the Development League in 2008. He got about 20 minutes of court time but did not score.
Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge said Barber (1.98m) was a "combo" forward capable of matching up on the inside and a useful shooter from the perimeter.
"He comes very highly recommended from Chris Tupu and the Nelson coaching staff," Arlidge said.
"I think he is going to be a good fit for us. He's going to get up and down. He's very athletic and he can shoot the three. That suits the way we want to play."
Barber has clearance to play against the Southland Sharks in Invercargill tonight, which is a relief for the struggling franchise.
The Nuggets will take heart from their performance against the Sharks last week. Without Tisby, who was sidelined with a foot injury, the Nuggets held their own against the Sharks.
But, if they are going to break a 17-game losing streak, they will need just as much determination in the return game.
The losing streak stretches back to April 2008 when they beat the Manawatu Jets 100-81 in Palmerston North. The Nuggets finished 2008 with nine straight losses and, in their comeback season, have started with eight defeats.
The Sharks are expecting their largest crowd of the season, and coach Richard Dickel is hoping for more than 2000 supporters. So the Nuggets can expect a "sea of orange" to greet them when they seek to overturn last week's 82-76 defeat.
Also being contested is a new shield, which Southland Basketball Association chief executive Jill Bolger hopes will generate some extra interest in games between the neighbouring teams.
Gritty import Rene Rougeau shapes as the biggest threat for the Sharks. The California guard was a standout performer for Southland last week, with 24 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.
Fellow import Mike Helms had a mixed night in his first outing for the Sharks. He netted 19 points but landed just two of his 10 three-point attempts.
Experienced point guard Luke Martin is one of the leading distributors in the league. Some of his passes border on miraculous, and he made six assists against the Nuggets.
With some vocal support behind them, the Sharks would be a much tougher proposition this week, Arlidge said.
"I'd be very surprised if they played the same way as last week," he said.
"I think this will be, next to Nelson, the hardest place we've had to play. There is a new shield up for grabs and I'm really looking forward to it.
"But we'll definitely be the underdogs. All we can do is just keep improving. Last week was a big step forward but there will be weeks when we go backwards."
Nuggets forward Tyler Amaya has tonsilitis but has trained this week and will play tonight. He had a strong game last week, getting out of his sick bed to post a game-high 27 points.
NUGGETS v SHARKS
- Invercargill, tonight, 7pm
Otago Nuggets: John Barber jun, Tyler Amaya, Matt Gillan, Steve Robinson, Sam To'omata, James Ross, Riki Buckrell, Tom Rowe, Matt Trueman, Luke Aston, Hayden Miller, Tim Coudret.
Southland Sharks: Rene Rougeau, Martin Iti, Luke Martin, Gareth Dawson, James Paringatai, Ian Cathcart, Daniel Munday, Paratene McLeod, Pete Burgess, Andrew Wheeler, Tavita Bauer, Mike Helms.
