Rams Add Up-And-Comer Ihaka Cate

The Canterbury Rams have signed Christ’s College star prospect Ihaka Cate to an amateur contract ahead of the 2024 Sal’s NBL season.

Standing at 6’6”, Ihaka is an adept finisher around the basket with an expanding perimeter game. He joins a gifted group of development players and brings an athletic edge to the Rams’ Rapid League roster.

“Ihaka has been a real nice surprise as far as what I’ve seen from him this preseason,” said Head Coach Judd Flavell. “We’ve played him in a couple different positions. He’s mobile, he can play out on the perimeter… he’s up the floor defensively.”

Cate joined the junior Tall Blacks in FIBA play at the U16 Asian Championship late last year. He made the most of his minutes on the court, averaging 4.5 points per game and pulling down 4.3 rebounds. 

“He plays with a relentlessness and is committed to both ends of the floor. He knows where to be and is super efficient,” added Flavell. “I guess the word that comes to mind with him is efficiency and it’s somewhat similar to how I viewed Walter Brown when I first laid eyes on him.”

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to round out the Rams roster for the 2024 Sal’s NBL season!

Individual game tickets are now available for purchase. Don’t miss your chance to see rising stars like Ihaka Cate get their first taste of NBL basketball!