That is important to remember when tracking the progress of Otago’s young talent playing basketball in the US college competitions. A lot of players are big fishes in New Zealand, but it is another thing to go to the US and do it. The game is faster and more physical, and the athletes are often on another level. You can adapt to that, something some do successfully and others find a bridge too far. Almost without exception, though, there is a transition period and we are seeing that in a handful of young local stars who are now looking to kick on at the next level.
Otago’s current NCAA division one player, Sam Timmins, is looking far more comfortable for the Washington Huskies than he was a month ago.
The big man initially looked rushed and found himself picking up foul calls for things that would often be overlooked in New Zealand. Those fouls have come less regularly of late and he is beginning to be more of a threat on offence. His averages of 4.0 points per game and 3.7 rebounds may not be astronomical, but are not dissimilar to what many Kiwis put up as freshmen.
The Huskies have struggled through non-conference play with a 7-5 win-loss record, several of those wins coming thanks to star freshman Markelle Fultz. Washington gets its conference schedule under way on January 2 against Washington State.
Meanwhile, in junior college, guard Joe Cook-Green is plying his trade at the No24-nationally ranked Northwest Florida State. A team loaded with talent, most of which will probably transfer to division one schools, the Raiders spent the first part of the season ranked as the nation’s top junior college team. Cook-Green has battled for minutes, with his best production coming in 11 minutes against Wake Tech, when he had five points, four rebounds and two assists.
Richie Rodger has returned for a second year at Southeast Community College, also a junior college, after a successful first season.
The guard’s output has been down on last year, averaging 4.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He can still put it together though, delivering a 17-point performance before a three-point, eight-rebound, nine-assist game just before the Christmas break. His team has an 8-6 win-loss record and next plays on January 8.
Twins Zoe and Brittany Richards have helped Gillette College to a 7-5 win-loss record in the women’s junior college competition.
After fighting back from a leg injury, Zoe has impressed and is averaging 5.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. In her best game, she put up 14 points, on 7-of-8 shooting, and grabbed eight rebounds.
Brittany, a shooting swingman, has struggled to find her range of late, although has rebounded well and is averaging 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
