April 3, 2026 • 16 mins
With a 13th championship and record crowds, the Wellington Saints celebrated an extremely successful 2025 NBL campaign on and off the court.
The team's title defence begins with a home game at TSB Arena on Sunday April 12th, hosting Manawatu.
To preview the season, Adam was joined by head coach Aaron Young and CEO Jordan Mills.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
News talks he'd be on the Illsport Breakfast twenty seven
past eight. Well twenty twenty five was a standout year
for the Wellington Saints of the National Basketball League, both
on and off the court. Of course, on the court
winning a record thirteenth championship, but off the court hosting
regular sold out crowds at TSB Arena as well, showing
that the club is in great health as many teams
(00:20):
around Wellington around New Zealand struggle to get people into
their stadiums to watch their sports. Well twenty twenty six
is NBL season starts next weekend. The Saints are at
home at tesB Arena next Sunday afternoon the twelfth, hosting
Mona at two and studio with us this morning CEO
Jordan Mills and head coach Aaron Young looking ahead to
(00:40):
the twenty twenty six season. Thanks for coming in, guys,
Arion'll start with you. You've just come from being the
assistant coach at Perth and the ANBL again and I
guess you wish you were still playing this weekend given
the Grand Finals are on. But have you had any
downtime as you come back from Australia to launch this campaign.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I mean not really, but at this point of my
you know, my coaching career, I'm kind of used to
it at this point. And you know, the position that
I'm in right now between assistant coach in the AMBO
level and then head coach in the New Zealand and
Bill it's it's just a perfect balance for me, is
where I'm at in my career. So I never take
it for granted. And you know, if it's if it
(01:18):
means I have limited time off, then it is what
it is, and I, you know, just keep pushing through it.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
What's the more demanding role? Is it as a head
coach of the NBL or assistant at the a m
b L, which wean is a bigger league.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, So I mean for me, I would say AMBO
level is just a little bit more intense with the hours,
but the workload is if that makes sense, there is
probably you know, I can kind of stay on top
of things a little bit more, whereas a head coach
you're just juggling so many different things, but it's it's
coming at you from different angles. But in terms of
(01:49):
like the hours per week, probably AMBL a little bit
more just because you know, we're scouting, there's there's never
an off moment, and same with the head coach. But
it's just you know, this is my six year coaching
in this league, so it's it's gone by quick, but
you get into a nice groove and routine.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Each year someone else is juggling a lot of things.
Jordan Mells, thanks for coming in as well, mate. Yeah,
hugely successful year on and off the court for the
Saints in Wellington and twenty twenty five. How's the buzz
at the club ahead of this year?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
The hardest part is to try and replicate that into
twenty twenty six. You know, we had such an amazing
year on and off the floor, as you mentioned, our
crowds were great, our team was great, So the hardest
part is to try and replicate that as best as
we can. Look confident that we've got the base right,
but there's still a lot of things that've got to
happen during the season to make sure that we can
finish the right way we finished last year.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
From an administration perspective, what is a measure that you're
doing well at this point of the year pre season
compared to other teams That gives you some good confidence.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Look I mean off the court, our memberships are really high.
You know, we've got eight hundred members in a four
thousand and six stadium that will be there every game,
so that's the highest in the league and higher than
I guess some other sporting franchises around too, which is
really pleasing in everybody's back. We had a limited amount
that we went on sale with, so that's really positive.
(03:08):
On the court, it's definitely difficult with how we operate
with you know, we've got a high level amount of
guys out of the Australia League, including Aaron, so we
do get together later in the peace basketball wise, but
that's the kind of price you pay for having that
sort of talent, I think. So yeah, look, it's going
to be a quick head out with our guys to
get together and start playing. But I'm confident that we've
(03:30):
got the right group of players that's going to make
some noises.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Here just on the members and the crowds. I mean,
that's so such great news, isn't it. We know times
are tough for a lot of people here in Wellington,
and we've seen you know, the Hurricanes head of their
game last week and put out some you know, some
real publicity around wanting crowds back in. You know, teams
like them would crave the fan base that you guys
seem to have. Why do you think that is what's
what's making people come along to the Saints.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Look, I mean we have a different size of venue,
which makes it a little bit easier. We don't play
at a thirty thousand seats. We play in a four
thousand seat stadium, so it makes it a little bit different. Look,
our games on the rise, so I think that's a
big part of it. You know, at the youth level,
it's growing in every facet, boys and girls, men and women,
so that plays a part. It's indoors, so the weather
(04:15):
doesn't matter what it is like outside. You know, we're
fortunate that we've got a long history in the city,
like the Kings, like the Poles and other sporting franchises.
But look, we'd love to have a sold out crowd
April twelfth, this coming Sunday at three pm at TSP
There'll be a great way to start our season for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
And date and hopefully they do Aaron. You know, Jordan
mentioned just the it's almost like a last minute wranglersn't
getting all the roster together players that are coming in
late from leagues all around the globe. Obviously with imports
and things. How much time on court are these guys
actually going to get before next Sunday?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I mean as a complete group, maybe one or two
practices live. But you know, I think compared to last season,
I think we've had For me personally, it feels like
more time. You know, I only really need a couple
of weeks kind of lay the foundation. You always want more,
But I think we're in a really good spot to
to really and the guys that we have on the
floor right now to establish our standards early. And then
(05:10):
the guys that come in are high level guys, so
it's it's nothing new to them. It's not going to
it's not going to take them very long to pick
things up.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
What's the most important part of sort of putting the
roster together and balancing it out. I guess between retention,
wanting some of the guys that revolved in the championship
last year, but also staying competitive, you know, against the
other teams by bringing some new signings in.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah, I mean, I think an advantage that I have
with Perth is I've got a good pulse on the MBL,
So you know, we're always scoping that that league and
kind of seeing who's on the rise in terms of
you know, young talent that wanting to take that next step,
and we really feel confident the Saints is a stepping
stone that you know, no really other league can can provide.
So yeah, with with my relationships with different players in
(05:55):
the league and you know what we have to offer
in terms of an organization, it's just a great mix
of you know, a perfect spot for a young talented
AMBL level player or import that's you know, wanted to
take that next step in their career and.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Jordan, the balancing it for you from a club perspective,
you know, we know you guys like to give young
Wellingtonians their chance, you know Troy Plumtree, Aubrey Chung as well.
How do you balance that out again, you want some
top players to come into Wellington, but you also want
to promote promote the youth from from the city.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Yeah, that's something that I'm really proud of. Over the
past few years we've really brought through Wellington locals, which
hasn't been the case you know, in the past. So,
like you mentioned, Troy and Aubrey will be a big
one this year for us. He's currently away with the
Junior Tall Blacks, but he'll be back with us for
Game two. But even saying that, a lot of the
young guys that we've got currently has Son nir Kiln
(06:44):
Magalog or Sam Gold. They're all coming back from multiple
years have been with us, and we're hopeful that they'll
take that next step in their journey to contribute more.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
So.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Look, we've got a really strong local base coming through
and there's even younger kids at that kind of fifteen
sixteen year old age gap that we think the next
couple of years will be sayings as well. So the
future is really bright for Willingston buzzball.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Players, all right, And Aaron Carlon Davison, obviously he's got
a lot of the headlines in terms of the off
season recruitment work by yourselves. How did that one come about?
I mean, and what are you use that of hoping
from him? Yeah? Like rightfully?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
So right, he's he's a high level player, and I
just love the maturity and growth that he's shown in
the last couple of years, not just in our league,
but at the ambient level. You can see that different coaches,
different teams have taken a real trust in his development
as a player. He's going to be a real anchor
for us. He's always going to lead you know, the
league and flashy, big time plays. But I've really been
(07:36):
impressed with his defensive versatility at the breakers level, but
also I think just being a lot more disciplined and
focused and locked in to that side in our league.
I think you're going to see a massive jump from
that part of his game this season.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
In some of those other mainstays. Asia obviously back hire them.
I know there's a possible sort of park crossover in Japan.
Is there any chance of him playing a role of
season at all?
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah, I think we're always looking him back. If you know,
he's he's got some stuff that he needs to figure
out in terms of his postseason stuff. But you know,
he was an anchor for us, he was the captain
for us last year, so there's always that relationship that
we want to try and keep. So yeah, he's definitely
on the horizon for US. Isaiah having him back, you know,
(08:18):
his leadership I think is going to take a real
jump with our group, especially without you know, different people
that have moved on and we haven't brought back. I
think he's going to really take a lot of that
on the shoulders and do a great job with that.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
And Aaron you mentioned Jordan mentioned some of those young
guys that have now been part of this team for
several seasons. How much of a confidence boost does taking
that championship last year give them, you know, and making
them motivated to do even em better this year. Just
those young people experiencing that success.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yeah, I think from you know, whether they were in
the roster or just on the fringe or outside looking in.
You know, anytime you can win a championship, it gives
you a real advantage to show and you know, prove
that we're doing things at a good level. So you know,
when they come into that environment, they know the standards
and expectations that need to be met if you want
to be a part of the Saints. And I think
(09:08):
that's a great advantage to have within this league.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
John, and I know it's a time of year as
well when the phones are being checked a lot imports
obviously coming to the equation as well that they've become
a real crucial part of this league over the last
few years. How are you guys looking in that regard
of week out from round one? Really good.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
We've got a current player in the G League who've signed.
We're just waiting for him to finish his playoffs segment,
I guess, and he'll be straight out. That'll be announced
sometime early next week. And then we've got a really
big fish that we're just waiting to cross, a couple
of teas and a couple of guys that I think
he'll set the league a light, so you keep it
(09:44):
keep an eye out for him. I think he'll be
a really exciting piece that fans will like to watch
as well.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
They're all the clothes you're giving us for now.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Yeah, yeah, look, yes we're close, but we're not smoking
any cigars.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yet, exactly not fair enough. As a coach, is an
important signing always a gamble or you know, I guess
as you said, you're familiar with a lot of players
from the Australian Basketball League, but there are players from
all around the world. At what point is it sort
of a gamble versus a you educated appointment to the time.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
I think if you get a really good core local
group and that's you know, marquis, tall black players. You know,
we mentioned the likes of like a Sam Gold, who's
going to play an important role for us. Like, if
you can get that part of your roster set in stone,
it really allows you to find the right pieces and
take your time. I think the experience that I've had
(10:35):
with Jordan is, you know, we want to get things
done early, but if you lay the blueprint, you get
your locals locked in early, and especially those returnees that
have had such an impact at this league, it allows
you to go and get an ambul player with a nice,
you know resume, or you know, young talented player. So
I think we've done a really good job of that
in the last couple of seasons and I think this
(10:55):
season will be another great example of that.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
What's the selling point for the Saints, for Wellington, for
the guys, John, Yeah, Look.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
I mean, without sounding overly confident or anything like that,
we've got a long history of not only winning, but
helping guys take that nixt step in their journey. We
look at Nick Marshall last year had a career year
with Tasmania now playing in Italy top league, you know,
and that was coming off the year before he didn't
play at all for Adelaide. So I look at our
(11:21):
big import. We've signed a ketcher Lear from the Phoenix
Southeast NOTHERN Phoenix. I think he's someone that's got the
similar blueprint where he had a solid year, but he's
got a huge amount of upside that he's looking to
take with us, which will filter on to the next
part of his journey. So yes, we prioritize winning. We
obviously try to look after player as well, but you know,
we're aaron here. It's it's a big development piece where
(11:43):
they can get better throughout the season as well, which
is important.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Malo Watoo next Sunday. Do you know much about what
they've been building up for or just sort of do
your genuine expectations for Game one on home court?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Yeah, I mean there's a there's a good balance of
young talent that I've coached in the past. There's some good,
you know, players that have been in the States that
are coming back. So I think there'll be a young
and hungry, motivated group and you know, especially with some
of them playing for the Saints before, I'm sure they're
going to want to come in and you know, make
you know, turn TSB you know, into the into their
(12:14):
favor and it's our job to obviously make that life
as difficult as possible for them. But it's an exciting
first matchup, especially against a team that everyone starts zero
and zero, right, so like it's it's the start of
a new journey and that buzz, that energy that every
team approaches each season with with you know, sites on
the championship, it makes for a good opening night.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
How do you feel it motivational versus pressure coming in
as reigning champions.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Yeah, good question. I mean, I think for us, it's
going to be a very different group and we're going
to have I think what I really like about this
group that we've established is how everyone where each player
is at in their career, it's an exciting turning point
for them where they can take a massive step forward.
And I think that level of focus and drive, I
(13:00):
think it's going to make our group very consistent and
competitive group, young and hungry. Established with our habits, It's
not going to be easy and you know, with young players,
you know you've got to teach and you know, learn
a lot. Whereas last season, I think we probably had
a little bit more balance of you know, veteran leadership,
you know, balance across the roster. This year, it's going
to be a little bit younger, but I think hungry
(13:23):
and motivated to do the right things every day.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Great And Jordan you mentioned you know, crowds are in
a good hitting the right way for the club, looking
great for this year as well. What do you want
fans to get out of coming to a Saints game?
I guess on on and off the court. What do
you want to sort of offer people when they when they
come into tesp Or.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
I mean entertainment. It's not just a basketball game that
people come to watch. Like We've had lots of people
come that don't necessarily like basketball, but go away thinking
there was a fun experience. I'll go back again. So
it's not just a basketball game. It's a it's a
it's a fun day or night out and it's family friendly.
So anyone come along and enjoy it. It doesn't matter who
you are or what you what you enjoy. There is
(13:59):
a buz of one hundred one or two fans coming
down on next Sunday, so we anticipate thered be a
little bit of green there, so hopefully our crowd will
come out in force. It's a big weekend for Wellington
with Ultra coming Friday, the biggest festival, and then we're
on i think the Polster on Saturday and we're on Sunday,
so it's a really big, eventful Wellington weekend. So we
(14:21):
hope that their fans will come out and support everybody.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Does that wide of stuff have an impact on crowds?
Do you do some sort of research around that?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Definitely, you know, it's not no secret it's been difficult climate,
I guess for people financially, so you know, we find
that some of those things with big weekends, they tend
to choose what they want to go to. So but
an opening weekend, we're going to drop our banner from
last year's championship, so there's going to be a lot
going on and excitful afternoon three pm on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Great looking forward to it, Aaron, We've mentioned a few
names on the roster this year. Anyone else we've missed
that we should really be keeping an eye on this year.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
No, I think yeah. I think well want them their
game to big for themselves a little bit, But like
I said, that's just a really exciting group. I think
the entertainment piece is going to be ticked in a
massive way, and I think along with with that, there's
going to be a nice consistency with our group in
terms of how we compete and get after it. So
individual wise, well, I think that'll grow as the season
(15:18):
comes along, and I think everyone will have their own
character and following. But I'm excited, you know, for the
group as a whole.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Quickly mentioned Jordan Hunt. He's come home from about eight
or nine years have been away, so heart very high kid,
so we're excited to get him back on the floor
as well. He started his career with us and he's
been into the State's been in Australia, been in other
clubs in New Zealand, so we're excited to see his
kind of maturity and come home and play for us too.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
His one great amazing that he wants to do that
right for sure. Great to see you guys all the
best for the season ahead and good luck filling the
stadium next Sunday and go well for the year.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Thanks goods, thank you, Yes for more from News Talks
ed B listen live on air or online and
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Keep our shows with you wherever you go with our
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News talks he'd be on the Illsport Breakfast twenty seven
past eight. Well twenty twenty five was a standout year
for the Wellington Saints of the National Basketball League, both
on and off the court. Of course, on the court
winning a record thirteenth championship, but off the court hosting
regular sold out crowds at TSB Arena as well, showing
that the club is in great health as many teams
(00:20):
around Wellington around New Zealand struggle to get people into
their stadiums to watch their sports. Well twenty twenty six
is NBL season starts next weekend. The Saints are at
home at tesB Arena next Sunday afternoon the twelfth, hosting
Mona at two and studio with us this morning CEO
Jordan Mills and head coach Aaron Young looking ahead to
(00:40):
the twenty twenty six season. Thanks for coming in, guys,
Arion'll start with you. You've just come from being the
assistant coach at Perth and the ANBL again and I
guess you wish you were still playing this weekend given
the Grand Finals are on. But have you had any
downtime as you come back from Australia to launch this campaign.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I mean not really, but at this point of my
you know, my coaching career, I'm kind of used to
it at this point. And you know, the position that
I'm in right now between assistant coach in the AMBO
level and then head coach in the New Zealand and
Bill it's it's just a perfect balance for me, is
where I'm at in my career. So I never take
it for granted. And you know, if it's if it
(01:18):
means I have limited time off, then it is what
it is, and I, you know, just keep pushing through it.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
What's the more demanding role? Is it as a head
coach of the NBL or assistant at the a m
b L, which wean is a bigger league.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, So I mean for me, I would say AMBO
level is just a little bit more intense with the hours,
but the workload is if that makes sense, there is
probably you know, I can kind of stay on top
of things a little bit more, whereas a head coach
you're just juggling so many different things, but it's it's
coming at you from different angles. But in terms of
(01:49):
like the hours per week, probably AMBL a little bit
more just because you know, we're scouting, there's there's never
an off moment, and same with the head coach. But
it's just you know, this is my six year coaching
in this league, so it's it's gone by quick, but
you get into a nice groove and routine.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Each year someone else is juggling a lot of things.
Jordan Mells, thanks for coming in as well, mate. Yeah,
hugely successful year on and off the court for the
Saints in Wellington and twenty twenty five. How's the buzz
at the club ahead of this year?
Speaker 3 (02:18):
The hardest part is to try and replicate that into
twenty twenty six. You know, we had such an amazing
year on and off the floor, as you mentioned, our
crowds were great, our team was great, So the hardest
part is to try and replicate that as best as
we can. Look confident that we've got the base right,
but there's still a lot of things that've got to
happen during the season to make sure that we can
finish the right way we finished last year.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
From an administration perspective, what is a measure that you're
doing well at this point of the year pre season
compared to other teams That gives you some good confidence.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Look I mean off the court, our memberships are really high.
You know, we've got eight hundred members in a four
thousand and six stadium that will be there every game,
so that's the highest in the league and higher than
I guess some other sporting franchises around too, which is
really pleasing in everybody's back. We had a limited amount
that we went on sale with, so that's really positive.
(03:08):
On the court, it's definitely difficult with how we operate
with you know, we've got a high level amount of
guys out of the Australia League, including Aaron, so we
do get together later in the peace basketball wise, but
that's the kind of price you pay for having that
sort of talent, I think. So yeah, look, it's going
to be a quick head out with our guys to
get together and start playing. But I'm confident that we've
(03:30):
got the right group of players that's going to make
some noises.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Here just on the members and the crowds. I mean,
that's so such great news, isn't it. We know times
are tough for a lot of people here in Wellington,
and we've seen you know, the Hurricanes head of their
game last week and put out some you know, some
real publicity around wanting crowds back in. You know, teams
like them would crave the fan base that you guys
seem to have. Why do you think that is what's
what's making people come along to the Saints.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Look, I mean we have a different size of venue,
which makes it a little bit easier. We don't play
at a thirty thousand seats. We play in a four
thousand seat stadium, so it makes it a little bit different. Look,
our games on the rise, so I think that's a
big part of it. You know, at the youth level,
it's growing in every facet, boys and girls, men and women,
so that plays a part. It's indoors, so the weather
(04:15):
doesn't matter what it is like outside. You know, we're
fortunate that we've got a long history in the city,
like the Kings, like the Poles and other sporting franchises.
But look, we'd love to have a sold out crowd
April twelfth, this coming Sunday at three pm at TSP
There'll be a great way to start our season for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
And date and hopefully they do Aaron. You know, Jordan
mentioned just the it's almost like a last minute wranglersn't
getting all the roster together players that are coming in
late from leagues all around the globe. Obviously with imports
and things. How much time on court are these guys
actually going to get before next Sunday?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I mean as a complete group, maybe one or two
practices live. But you know, I think compared to last season,
I think we've had For me personally, it feels like
more time. You know, I only really need a couple
of weeks kind of lay the foundation. You always want more,
But I think we're in a really good spot to
to really and the guys that we have on the
floor right now to establish our standards early. And then
(05:10):
the guys that come in are high level guys, so
it's it's nothing new to them. It's not going to
it's not going to take them very long to pick
things up.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
What's the most important part of sort of putting the
roster together and balancing it out. I guess between retention,
wanting some of the guys that revolved in the championship
last year, but also staying competitive, you know, against the
other teams by bringing some new signings in.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah, I mean, I think an advantage that I have
with Perth is I've got a good pulse on the MBL,
So you know, we're always scoping that that league and
kind of seeing who's on the rise in terms of
you know, young talent that wanting to take that next step,
and we really feel confident the Saints is a stepping
stone that you know, no really other league can can provide.
So yeah, with with my relationships with different players in
(05:55):
the league and you know what we have to offer
in terms of an organization, it's just a great mix
of you know, a perfect spot for a young talented
AMBL level player or import that's you know, wanted to
take that next step in their career and.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Jordan, the balancing it for you from a club perspective,
you know, we know you guys like to give young
Wellingtonians their chance, you know Troy Plumtree, Aubrey Chung as well.
How do you balance that out again, you want some
top players to come into Wellington, but you also want
to promote promote the youth from from the city.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Yeah, that's something that I'm really proud of. Over the
past few years we've really brought through Wellington locals, which
hasn't been the case you know, in the past. So,
like you mentioned, Troy and Aubrey will be a big
one this year for us. He's currently away with the
Junior Tall Blacks, but he'll be back with us for
Game two. But even saying that, a lot of the
young guys that we've got currently has Son nir Kiln
(06:44):
Magalog or Sam Gold. They're all coming back from multiple
years have been with us, and we're hopeful that they'll
take that next step in their journey to contribute more.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
So.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Look, we've got a really strong local base coming through
and there's even younger kids at that kind of fifteen
sixteen year old age gap that we think the next
couple of years will be sayings as well. So the
future is really bright for Willingston buzzball.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
Players, all right, And Aaron Carlon Davison, obviously he's got
a lot of the headlines in terms of the off
season recruitment work by yourselves. How did that one come about?
I mean, and what are you use that of hoping
from him? Yeah? Like rightfully?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
So right, he's he's a high level player, and I
just love the maturity and growth that he's shown in
the last couple of years, not just in our league,
but at the ambient level. You can see that different coaches,
different teams have taken a real trust in his development
as a player. He's going to be a real anchor
for us. He's always going to lead you know, the
league and flashy, big time plays. But I've really been
(07:36):
impressed with his defensive versatility at the breakers level, but
also I think just being a lot more disciplined and
focused and locked in to that side in our league.
I think you're going to see a massive jump from
that part of his game this season.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
In some of those other mainstays. Asia obviously back hire them.
I know there's a possible sort of park crossover in Japan.
Is there any chance of him playing a role of
season at all?
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Yeah, I think we're always looking him back. If you know,
he's he's got some stuff that he needs to figure
out in terms of his postseason stuff. But you know,
he was an anchor for us, he was the captain
for us last year, so there's always that relationship that
we want to try and keep. So yeah, he's definitely
on the horizon for US. Isaiah having him back, you know,
(08:18):
his leadership I think is going to take a real
jump with our group, especially without you know, different people
that have moved on and we haven't brought back. I
think he's going to really take a lot of that
on the shoulders and do a great job with that.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
And Aaron you mentioned Jordan mentioned some of those young
guys that have now been part of this team for
several seasons. How much of a confidence boost does taking
that championship last year give them, you know, and making
them motivated to do even em better this year. Just
those young people experiencing that success.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yeah, I think from you know, whether they were in
the roster or just on the fringe or outside looking in.
You know, anytime you can win a championship, it gives
you a real advantage to show and you know, prove
that we're doing things at a good level. So you know,
when they come into that environment, they know the standards
and expectations that need to be met if you want
to be a part of the Saints. And I think
(09:08):
that's a great advantage to have within this league.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
John, and I know it's a time of year as
well when the phones are being checked a lot imports
obviously coming to the equation as well that they've become
a real crucial part of this league over the last
few years. How are you guys looking in that regard
of week out from round one? Really good.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
We've got a current player in the G League who've signed.
We're just waiting for him to finish his playoffs segment,
I guess, and he'll be straight out. That'll be announced
sometime early next week. And then we've got a really
big fish that we're just waiting to cross, a couple
of teas and a couple of guys that I think
he'll set the league a light, so you keep it
(09:44):
keep an eye out for him. I think he'll be
a really exciting piece that fans will like to watch
as well.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
They're all the clothes you're giving us for now.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Yeah, yeah, look, yes we're close, but we're not smoking
any cigars.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yet, exactly not fair enough. As a coach, is an
important signing always a gamble or you know, I guess
as you said, you're familiar with a lot of players
from the Australian Basketball League, but there are players from
all around the world. At what point is it sort
of a gamble versus a you educated appointment to the time.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
I think if you get a really good core local
group and that's you know, marquis, tall black players. You know,
we mentioned the likes of like a Sam Gold, who's
going to play an important role for us. Like, if
you can get that part of your roster set in stone,
it really allows you to find the right pieces and
take your time. I think the experience that I've had
(10:35):
with Jordan is, you know, we want to get things
done early, but if you lay the blueprint, you get
your locals locked in early, and especially those returnees that
have had such an impact at this league, it allows
you to go and get an ambul player with a nice,
you know resume, or you know, young talented player. So
I think we've done a really good job of that
in the last couple of seasons and I think this
(10:55):
season will be another great example of that.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
What's the selling point for the Saints, for Wellington, for
the guys, John, Yeah, Look.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
I mean, without sounding overly confident or anything like that,
we've got a long history of not only winning, but
helping guys take that nixt step in their journey. We
look at Nick Marshall last year had a career year
with Tasmania now playing in Italy top league, you know,
and that was coming off the year before he didn't
play at all for Adelaide. So I look at our
(11:21):
big import. We've signed a ketcher Lear from the Phoenix
Southeast NOTHERN Phoenix. I think he's someone that's got the
similar blueprint where he had a solid year, but he's
got a huge amount of upside that he's looking to
take with us, which will filter on to the next
part of his journey. So yes, we prioritize winning. We
obviously try to look after player as well, but you know,
we're aaron here. It's it's a big development piece where
(11:43):
they can get better throughout the season as well, which
is important.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Malo Watoo next Sunday. Do you know much about what
they've been building up for or just sort of do
your genuine expectations for Game one on home court?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Yeah, I mean there's a there's a good balance of
young talent that I've coached in the past. There's some good,
you know, players that have been in the States that
are coming back. So I think there'll be a young
and hungry, motivated group and you know, especially with some
of them playing for the Saints before, I'm sure they're
going to want to come in and you know, make
you know, turn TSB you know, into the into their
(12:14):
favor and it's our job to obviously make that life
as difficult as possible for them. But it's an exciting
first matchup, especially against a team that everyone starts zero
and zero, right, so like it's it's the start of
a new journey and that buzz, that energy that every
team approaches each season with with you know, sites on
the championship, it makes for a good opening night.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
How do you feel it motivational versus pressure coming in
as reigning champions.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Yeah, good question. I mean, I think for us, it's
going to be a very different group and we're going
to have I think what I really like about this
group that we've established is how everyone where each player
is at in their career, it's an exciting turning point
for them where they can take a massive step forward.
And I think that level of focus and drive, I
(13:00):
think it's going to make our group very consistent and
competitive group, young and hungry. Established with our habits, It's
not going to be easy and you know, with young players,
you know you've got to teach and you know, learn
a lot. Whereas last season, I think we probably had
a little bit more balance of you know, veteran leadership,
you know, balance across the roster. This year, it's going
to be a little bit younger, but I think hungry
(13:23):
and motivated to do the right things every day.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Great And Jordan you mentioned you know, crowds are in
a good hitting the right way for the club, looking
great for this year as well. What do you want
fans to get out of coming to a Saints game?
I guess on on and off the court. What do
you want to sort of offer people when they when they
come into tesp Or.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
I mean entertainment. It's not just a basketball game that
people come to watch. Like We've had lots of people
come that don't necessarily like basketball, but go away thinking
there was a fun experience. I'll go back again. So
it's not just a basketball game. It's a it's a
it's a fun day or night out and it's family friendly.
So anyone come along and enjoy it. It doesn't matter who
you are or what you what you enjoy. There is
(13:59):
a buz of one hundred one or two fans coming
down on next Sunday, so we anticipate thered be a
little bit of green there, so hopefully our crowd will
come out in force. It's a big weekend for Wellington
with Ultra coming Friday, the biggest festival, and then we're
on i think the Polster on Saturday and we're on Sunday,
so it's a really big, eventful Wellington weekend. So we
(14:21):
hope that their fans will come out and support everybody.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Does that wide of stuff have an impact on crowds?
Do you do some sort of research around that?
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Definitely, you know, it's not no secret it's been difficult climate,
I guess for people financially, so you know, we find
that some of those things with big weekends, they tend
to choose what they want to go to. So but
an opening weekend, we're going to drop our banner from
last year's championship, so there's going to be a lot
going on and excitful afternoon three pm on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Great looking forward to it, Aaron, We've mentioned a few
names on the roster this year. Anyone else we've missed
that we should really be keeping an eye on this year.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
No, I think yeah. I think well want them their
game to big for themselves a little bit, But like
I said, that's just a really exciting group. I think
the entertainment piece is going to be ticked in a
massive way, and I think along with with that, there's
going to be a nice consistency with our group in
terms of how we compete and get after it. So
individual wise, well, I think that'll grow as the season
(15:18):
comes along, and I think everyone will have their own
character and following. But I'm excited, you know, for the
group as a whole.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Quickly mentioned Jordan Hunt. He's come home from about eight
or nine years have been away, so heart very high kid,
so we're excited to get him back on the floor
as well. He started his career with us and he's
been into the State's been in Australia, been in other
clubs in New Zealand, so we're excited to see his
kind of maturity and come home and play for us too.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
His one great amazing that he wants to do that
right for sure. Great to see you guys all the
best for the season ahead and good luck filling the
stadium next Sunday and go well for the year.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Thanks goods, thank you, Yes for more from News Talks
ed B listen live on air or online and
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Keep our shows with you wherever you go with our
podcast on iHeart ready
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