ALBURY-WODONGA Bandits coach Brad Chalmers expects developing forward Darcy Harding to return from his stint with the Sydney Kings a much-improved player.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Harding was given a rookie spot by the Kings after a breakout season at SEABL level this year, where he averaged 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and shot a shade under 50 per cent from the field.
With a new-look roster taking shape ahead of the 2017 campaign, Chalmers was hoping for improvement from the returning big man.
“I speak to him pretty often, he hasn't had the greatest run at it because of a couple of little injuries, but he's enjoying his time up there,” he said.
“He'll be a bit of a sponge, there's a lot of talented people around him up there.”
Harding, under the instruction of Australian basketball icons Andrew Gaze and Lanard Copeland, also has some serious star power to learn from on court.
The Kings signed former NBA point guard Steve Blake earlier this year, after the 38-year-old finished a stint with the Detroit Pistons, as well as former Houston Rockets number 54 draft pick Brad Newley.
“I'd be surprised if Darcy didn't come back a better player,” Chalmers said.
“They'll pump plenty of knowledge into him up there.
“You could see how much more mature he was for us this season, hopefully he can stay in the NBL system from now on and capitalise on it.
“I can see a future for him at that level, particularly given his size and ability to shoot the ball.
“Hopefully he catches a few breaks and is able to gain a regular spot in the next year or two as opposed to a rookie spot.”
Harding isn't the only NBL listed player set to grace the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre in 2017, with recently signed point guard Joel Spear on the Adelaide 36ers list.
The duo are no strangers to each other either, having encountered each other at junior level in the past as well as both trialling for the Kings.
“Those rookie listed players can be a great fit at SEABL level,” Chalmers said.
“You don't get those development spots on NBL rosters these days without earning them.
“Those players are highly sought after talent.
“Joel had expressed a desire to play in the SEABL and attracted interest from a few clubs, but appreciated the interest we showed in him from the start.
“As a younger player he'll still have a few warts to him, but there's quite a bit of upside there that we probably didn't have last year, particularly with his shooting.”