Rams stick with strong core in roster for the 2020 Sal’s NBL Showdown

The Canterbury Rams squad is locked in, after last Thursday’s inaugural Sal’s NBL Draft, and the Rams will have a strong local flavour.  The Sal’s NBL Showdown will provide a platform for our top New Zealand players to continue to advance their playing careers as well as bringing excitement to our fans with all games televised.

The Rams first pick of the draft saw them keep Virginia big man Jack Salt, who had already signed with the team for the original 2020 season, pre COVID-19. “I am extremely excited to be competing with the Rams for the upcoming NBL season,” Salt explained. “This is a fantastic opportunity for myself and other players to get back out on the court, playing the game we love.”

Next off the ranks, was Taylor Britt, a well-known Rams player who has been with the ANBL championship winning Perth Wildcats. Taylor was a key part of the team last year for the Rams and will bring that experience to an instrumental starting role this year.

Joe Cook-Green was the third pick for the team, returning from college in the United States to play in the red & black again, after playing a season pre-college. The 4^th & 5^th picks saw the Rams bring back two players from last season in Alex Talma and Sam Smith, continuing the theme of building on last season’s successes and those that were involved in it.

The next round of picks started with the selection of another 2019 Rams player Toby Gillooly, who will look to make his mark in this revamped 5-week NBL season. Jack Exeter who also has been previously a part of the Rams, was the seventh pick and will be ecstatic to get out on the floor after missing out on playing last year due to injury.

The 8^th pick saw the Rams go with Tom Cowie, the only player who hasn’t been training in Canterbury these past few weeks. Cowie has played previously with the Southland Sharks and has been involved in New Zealand junior representative teams. Cowie has moved from Invercargill to Christchurch this week to train with the team before heading to Auckland.  It was important for us to ensure the emerging talent from throughout the South Island all had the opportunity to play in the upcoming Sal’s NBL Showdown.

Picks 9 through 12 saw Tom Webley, Mac Stodart, Ben Carlile-Smith and Mason Whittaker, all Mainland Eagles Academy Athletes, round out the Rams squad. Providing an awesome opportunity for these young guys to go up against some of the best in New Zealand, in preparation for their future basketball endeavours.

“We wanted to use the draft process to continue to work with our core local playing group including the development of our Mainland Eagles Academy athletes in preparing for US College”, stated Rams General Manager, Caleb Harrison.

Support the team at our clubhouse, Robbies Riccarton throughout the season and make sure you come along to our Thursday Night Rams Watch Parties!

RSVP & pre-book your table to get the bests seats in the house now! Contact Matt Hannen on 022 314 3084 or matt@canterburyrams.basketball to book.  

During these tough times, we’d like to thank our partners who have been loyal supporters of the Rams. We wouldn’t be able to have the team involved this season without:

Wheeler Motor Company, Barnes Beagley Doherr, Built By Home, Commodore Hotel, Rough & Milne, Arc Projects, Southern Interior Linings, Greenwood Roche, Espresso Car Wash, Miles Construction, Sign Network, Construction Software, BBQ’s Direct, Christchurch Casino, Robbies Riccarton, Signature Homes, Gallagher & Transocean.

Contact:

Matt Hannen

022 314 3084

matt@canterburyrams.basketball

Follow the Rams on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter-

https://www.facebook.com/CanterburyRams/

https://twitter.com/CanterburyRams

https://www.instagram.com/canterburyrams/

About the Canterbury Rams-

The Canterbury Rams have been revived by a group of basketball enthusiasts with a combination of business and basketball acumen and experience who are committed to establishing a long-term and successful Canterbury Rams franchise that plays a significant role in increasing the numbers participating in community basketball, provides an aspirational development pathway for our talented Canterbury youngsters and contributes to community re-development in Christchurch.

The objectives of the Canterbury Rams involved are philanthropic in nature which is reflected in the fact that the sole beneficiary (limited partner) of the Canterbury Rams is a charitable trust established for the benefit of growing basketball and community development. The vision for the Canterbury Rams is:

1. For the Rams to contribute significantly to the growth of basketball throughout the region with a highly performing and well run elite team greatly enhancing the profile and popularity of basketball.
2. For the Rams players and coaches to directly benefit junior talent through the region.  Youngsters throughout the region will receive coaching from high quality coaches and their heroes, inspiring them to work towards their goals.  The support the Rams receive through physiotherapy, podiatry, strength & conditioning, nutrition and sport psychology will also be provided for young up and coming juniors in the region.  The Rams will provide a pathway, exposure and access for a significantly greater number of Canterbury players to play successfully at the higher levels.
3. For the Rams to facilitate and provide development opportunities and a pathway for coaches throughout the region.  By supporting regular group coaching clinics and mentoring opportunities for the coaches in Canterbury, the sharing of knowledge will raise the standard of basketball.  Coaches will get access to the latest coaching methodology and through a common goal of developing basketball players, Canterbury’s coaching network will continue to grow.
4. For the Rams to assist in providing a development pathway for young talented players who currently struggle to participate due to the extensive financial commitment required through the establishment of a Rams ‘scholarship’ system for promising players that puts a mentoring and financial support structure around them as required.
5. For the Rams to make a major contribution to not only the basketball community but also to the Christchurch re-build through bringing an outstanding entertainment option to the city and contributing to the development of best practice basketball and community programmes.