Basketball: Key re-signings vital

Liam Flynn sees Ana Haku as an exciting up and coming talent. Photo / Duncan Brown

If player signings are an indication, expect new Hawks coach Liam Flynn to make a winning start to his 2015 NBL campaign.

Captain Paora Winitana and Tall Blacks point guard Jarrod Kenny were among five re-signings announced by Flynn yesterday. Darryl Jones, Marco Alexander and Ana Haku were the others.

"The aim was to maintain as many of last year's players as possible as the culture was all about 'team first' and it's good to have a core group of players returning.

"It's all about winning above everything else," Flynn said. In looking at the talent on offer for the IMS Payroll Hawks season, Flynn said it was important to have the likes of Winitana and Kenny signed.

"Paora epitomises our team-first culture. He's hard working and gets everything out of his ability. His leadership is vital to our team.

"Jarrod is a player I have enormous respect for and if you're looking for a top point guard, you don't have to look any further," Flynn said.

As for Alexander, Flynn, is looking forward to seeing what he's learned after spending a season in the Australian NBL with Melbourne United.

"I've been really impressed by his work in the off-season and he'll play as both a point guard and shooting guard."

Flynn sees Ana Haku as an exciting up and coming talent and he is thrilled to be linking up with Darryl Jones again, a player he coached at the Nelson Giants.

"He's super tough, you can trust him to turn up and perform in every game."

The Hawks open their campaign at Pettigrew-Green Arena against the Giants on April 4, the first of three home games before a trip away to play the Mountaineers on April 26.