The 23-year-old will make his first appearance in Otago colours since 2014 tomorrow at the National Basketball League’s 3x3 tournament in Invercargill.
He played twice for the Nuggets as a 15-year-old, becoming the franchise’s youngest ever player.
A back injury forced him to miss the 2014 NBL, before he returned to play for the Otago under-19 team later that year.
That was a long time ago now.
He had a stint in Canterbury as the Nuggets began their hiatus, before five years at the University of Washington.
On his return to New Zealand he signed with the Franklin Bulls for this year’s NBL, before the Nuggets’ last-minute return.
While he remained loyal to the contract he signed, it also proved to him where he wanted to be.
"Playing for the Bulls made the decision [to play for the Nuggets] easier, to be honest," the 2.11m centre said.
"Being in the hotel and seeing the Otago team walking around, I was like ‘man, that should be me; I should be playing for Otago. I shouldn’t be representing anyone else, just because my heart’s not in it like it would be for Otago’."
Alongside him will be Josh Aitcheson and Richie Rodger — who he came through the age-grades with — and Kane Keil — who he played with on various New Zealand age-grade teams.
There was plenty of shooting among that group and that would be key.
Timmins, a former under-18 3x3 world champion, would look to utilise that.
He possesses a handy outside shot himself and provides a strong inside presence.
But getting the ball to his team-mates on the perimeter was key, particularly given the faster switch between offence and defence.
"I feel like I’m a really good passer.
"A massive part of 3x3 is getting the ball out of the net or just on a rebound and being able to turn around and locate your shooters, whip it out and they shoot it.
"Either you get a rebound or you get ready for a seal or they make it and you’re ready to play defence again.
"It’s a massive challenge in terms of your basketball IQ, so I love that as well."
The Nuggets play their first game tonight at 9.03pm against the Manawatu Jets.
They face the Taranaki Mountainairs, Hawke’s Bay Hawks and Tasman Suns tomorrow, before Saturday’s playoffs.
Southland fans will also have a team to support in the men’s competition, as the Southland Sharks take the court.
They have signed a star-studded roster consisting of Alex Pledger, Hyrum Harris, Dom Kelman-Poto and Alonzo Burton.
