Rams Announce The Signing of Max Darling

The Canterbury Rams are excited to announce the signing of Max Darling for the 2021 Sal’s NBL Season.

It’s fair to say Max Darling’s first ANBL season with the Illawarra Hawks has been a wild ride. Mini bubbles, multiple schedule changes and COVID protocols have all been a part of the first-year experience for Max. With the ANBL regular season set to finish June 6^th, Rams fans can look forward to having Max back on New Zealand soil and in the red and black singlet.

Signing a 3-year professional NBL contract last August, Max joined a Hawks team lead by the legendary Australian coach, Brian Goorjian. The opportunity for development and learning from some of the best in the NBL, just adding to Max’s impressive basketball resume at young age.

His first professional contract came at the age of 17 where he chose to play in the top Croatian league and sign with KK Vrijednosnice Osijek. Max played two years at the club and in his last season had starting line-up minutes throughout.

Max spent his high school years at Christ’s College and Nelson College. Highlighted by a 4^th place finish for Christ’s College at the 2018 secondary school nationals, the highest Canterbury secondary schools boys placing since Aranui High school in 1999. Max also had an U19 National Championship win with Canterbury, where he was named the tournament MVP. An explosive, athletic forward Darling was a top pick for the age group national teams. Most recently playing for the Junior Tall Blacks at the U19 FIBA World Cup in 2019 and being invited to the Tall Blacks training squad.

Max is no stranger to the red and black colours either, suiting up for the Rams in 2018 and being awarded the Sal’s NBL Rookie of the Year, averaging 9.3 points and 6.1 rebounds that season. He was also a part of the Mainland Eagles Academy throughout his high school years. Max has been recognised for multiple sporting awards including receiving the 2018 BBNZ Male Junior Player of the Year and the 2019 Orix Canterbury Sports Young Sportsman of the Year.

Rams Head Coach Mick Downer is looking forward to the impact Max will have come mid-June saying “It’s exciting news for the Rams Whanau with Max hopefully returning to us at the business end of the season after his duties with the Hawks in Australia conclude. Max is an amazing talent, versatile, clever and has real x-factor. We can’t wait for Rams fans get to see Max showcase his talents at the Cauldron.”

We are only a few weeks away from our first Rams home game, May 7^th against the Manawatu Jets! Come be a part of our first home game in two years, get your tickets while they last!

Rams Season Memberships: https://canterburyrams.basketball/tickets/memberships/

Rams Individual Game Tickets: https://canterburyrams.basketball/tickets/individual-game-tickets/