Hawke's Bay basketball import Jamie Skeen has played in eight countries but it has never been his preferred sport.
"I've played basketball since I was 11 back home in Charlottesville. I've loved it my whole life ... everyone wanted to be like Michael Jordan," power forward Skeen explained before the Taylor Hawks trained at Karamu High School last night in the countdown to tomorrow night Sal's National Basketball League round four clash against the Southland Sharks in Invercargill.
"But football was my favourite sport. I wanted to be like my dad Eric who played college football. However I didn't play it long enough ... just one year. I was so small and skinny my parents thought I was going to break something and pulled me out. My mum Jacqueline was a nervous wreck," the now 2.03m Skeen said.
His trial with the Hawks while he awaits the outcome of a visa application follows stints in France, Israel, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Puerto Rico and Kosovo. Skeen has played in four of the Hawks five matches to date and missed the first round 92-84 win against the SIT Zerofees Sharks.
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Advertise with NZME."I'm really happy here and the Hawks are a great team. Of all the countries I've been to this is the one I could move to the most. Everyone speaks English and it's easy to adapt to the food. The toughest part is the driving ... but I'm getting used to that."
Like so many Americans who play in New Zealand, Skeen, said the biggest challenge is adapting to the high physicality levels.
"I have to get physical and not worry about the refs. I can't worry about being fouled, I have to focus on securing the ball to help my teammates out. I can't worry about stuff I can't control."
Skeen, 29, admitted to knowing nothing about the Sharks.
"We've still got two days to study up on them. I've heard they've got some really big boys who aren't that fast. Hopefully I can work around them at the post."
Whether it's before or after the game Skeen is eager to try some Bluff Oysters in Invercargill.
"I just want to see what all the hype is about."
Hawks head coach Zico Coronel has opted to take 10 players south today. Aussie power forward Oscar Forman is unavailable and back home in Australia. Coronel is uncertain whether Forman will return to the Hawks nest.
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Advertise with NZME.After last weekend's two games which resulted in a win against Nelson and loss to the Saints Coronel is seeking improvement in his troops defensive systems.
"I'm looking for better execution under pressure and better ball screen coverage."
"We haven't had a big week of training after our doubleheader. It was important to get good recovery in and that is why tonight's session was short and sharp. We will train down in Invercargill tomorrow," Coronel said last night.
Yesterday his team conducted a skills session for 370 students at Central Hawke's Bay College.
"We had a fun time but it was draining at the same time and that was another reason tonight's session was short and sharp."
Coronel is expecting the Sharks to be tougher than they were in round one at Taradale. Since then they have added Canadian forward Conor Morgan to their roster.
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Advertise with NZME.Morgan played for Canada when they won silver at the Commonwealth Games following a win against the Tall Blacks in their semifinal and loss to Australia in the final.
"Southland were already the biggest team in the league. Now their squad has become deeper and much more skilled."
"Everyone knows about the atmosphere created by the Sharks fans in Invercargill. That can also help the road team and the Sharks are hard to play no matter where you play them."
Teams:
Taylor Hawks: Jarrod Kenny (captain), Jamie Skeen, Angus Brandt, Everard Bartlett, Ethan Rusbatch, Dion Prewster, Nick Fee, Mitchell Newton, Hyrym Harris, Kareem Johnson.
SIT Zerofees Sharks: Luke Aston, Orlando Coleman, James Hunter, Conor Morgan, Alex Pledger, Derone Raukawa, Reuben Te Rangi, Tom Vodanovich, Jarrad Weeks, Conor Morgan..
