The Otago Nuggets’ long awaited homecoming is starting to feel much more real.
That was franchise general manager Angela Ruske’s reaction as the countdown to the team’s first home game enters its final month today.
The side will make its return to the Edgar Centre on April 24, when it hosts the Wellington Saints in the National Basketball League season opener.
It will be 2497 days since the side last played a match in Dunedin, an overtime loss to the Canterbury Rams in June 2014.
Since then the side has taken a five-year hiatus, followed by a dream comeback in winning last year’s Covid-19 adapted league.
That league was played in Auckland though and the prospect of getting the side playing in Dunedin was "massive".
"There’s a lot of people put in a lot of hard work to get where we’re at currently," Ruske said.
"It’s challenging times and we’ve got people in businesses struggling through the impact of Covid.
"In many ways, last year was a great launch for us because of Covid. Doing the full-on full season comes with its own challenges.
"But I’m pleased to say Dunedin businesses have come to play and we’re very excited to be partnering up with them and representing them."
The team had gathered sponsorships from several local businesses, while a naming rights sponsor was set to be announced in the coming days.
Season tickets had not yet gone live on Ticketek, although had been on sale on the team’s website.
That had become the franchise’s focus, but otherwise she said it was comfortable financially.
The team has two pre-season matches in Queenstown against the Southland Sharks on the weekend of April 17-18.
It will also host a clinic for young Central Otago players on the Friday night before.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets’ imports are not far away from joining the squad.
Australian forward Geremy McKay leaves Australia today and will begin his two-week stint in quarantine.
American guard Isaiah Moss arrives on April 1 and will complete his two weeks from then.
