THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits and Lady Bandits yesterday unveiled two recruits who will be key cogs in the Border teams’ 2015 SEABL campaigns.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former AIS scholarship holder Claybrin McMath has joined the Bandits after a season with the NBL’s Townsville Crocodiles.
And Alison Bouman, a centre from Davenport University, is expected to be a scoring and defensive presence for the Lady Bandits.
At 203 centimetres tall, McMath looms as the ideal replacement for Alex Opacic and Bandits coach Brad Chalmers said McMath’s athleticism would provide a big boost at both ends of the court.
“We certainly like what he brings and that’s going to be a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” Chalmers said.
“We’re really excited to have him, he give us real athleticism at the centre spot; we’re going to be fast and talented and play high-tempo.”
McMath, who attended Bryant University before heading to Townsville, said he was looking forward to playing again, having been restricted to training duties with the Crocodiles.
“I’d heard good things about Brad (Chalmers) from agents, players, other coaches,” McMath said.
“I played here before in front of that crowd in my first SEABL game and really enjoyed the atmosphere.
“And I liked the sound of Brad’s system; the playing group sounds like a good bunch of guys to be around.”
Former Townsville assistant coach Rod Anderson said McMath should prove to be a handy addition, having trained against league MVP Brian Conklin and former NBA pivot Mickell Gladness during his time with the Crocs.
“Good team guy, turned up every day to weights and training,” Anderson said.
“He definitely could be a bench guy in the NBL, he’s a good defender and rebounder and he’s got an outside shot.”
Meanwhile, the expectation is Bouman will be an inside force for the Lady Bandits.
The 193-centimetre centre last played in Bulgaria for BC Rilski Sportist, averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
“I think my strengths are going strong to the basket and I’m a little quicker than most bigs but still strong enough to muscle my way in,” Bouman said.
“Talking on defence, that’s my main focus, I love to play defence.
“I’m here to win, I like to win and I believe in the girls here.”
Lady Bandits coach Michael Brookens said Bouman’s defensive instincts would allow the Border outfit to gamble more often on the perimeter, safe in the knowledge there was shot-blocking help waiting at the basket.
“Ali fits in perfectly,” Brookens said.
“Defensively she allows her team-mates to take chances; if they get beat they know they have her anchoring the defence.
“She’s a great person, a hard worker and she’ll be one of the taller players in the league and we expect to use that to our advantage.”