Ten weeks out: How are the Southland Sharks shaping up?
Can the Southland Sharks turn around a couple of challenging seasons when the 2024 NBL season rolls around?
There’s been a flurry of signing activity as the Sal’s National Basketball League teams go about putting together their rosters for the 2024 season starting at the end of March.
Today we take a look at how the Southland Sharks are shaping up at this point. We outline the publicly confirmed signings and departures.
LOCKED-IN RETURNEES
Guy Molloy (coach)
The Southland Sharks moved relatively quickly to re-sign the Australian to coach the Sharks NBL team for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
It will extend Molloy’s time as Southland’s head coach to at least three seasons.
Molloy is the current New Zealand Women’s National coach and will spend the coming months guiding the Sydney Flames squad during the upcoming Australian Women’s National League season before returning to Invercargill for a second season in the Shark Tank.
What he said: “I am excited to remain part of the Sharks organisation for the next two seasons.
“Despite missing the playoffs, a strong foundation was put in place to create the high standards necessary for NBL success. In the coming months, the Sharks will recruit high-level talent to its ranks as well as foster the development and pathways of local talent. I look forward to this journey with the Club.”
Brayden Inger
It is Southland sport’s ultimate package. Brayden Inger has resigned for his fourth season with the Southland Sharks in 2024.
He joins his netball-playing wife George Fisher who will also return to Invercargill in 2024 to line up for the Southern Steel in the ANZ Premiership.
Inger has been an important figure in the Sharks setup over the past three years although injury did hinder his 2023 campaign.
Inger is currently playing in England and will return for the 2024 NBL season.
What he said: “Going into last season [with the Southland Sharks] there was that chip on the shoulder and I guess that chip has even got bigger, right.
“I want to get back to where the organisation, and the players that come in, and the fans and crowd, know where Sharks basketball is meant to be, and it’s up towards the top - that’s the goal.”
Ben Hall
Hall will return in 2024 for his second season in orange playing at the Shark Tank.
The 1.96-metre small forward had a stint with the Canterbury Rams in 2021 but headed south for an opportunity in 2023.
What he said: “It was a pretty easy decision to come back [in 2024]… It was a good experience for me [in 2023]. I got a pretty good role carved out in the team getting out there on court and learning something every game.
“I’m hoping to build on that this off-season and come back even better hopefully.”
Connor Coll
Coll will return to playing group for this 2024 NBL season after a stint with the clipboard in hand.
He missed the 2023 season as a player following ankle surgery, but head coach Molloy utilised Coll through the season in an assistant coaching capacity.
Coll has been part of the Sharks since his debut in 2017 and has been a key figure on the training floor throughout that time. He’ll again push for more court time when the 2024 season rolls around.
CONFIRMED NEWBIES
Marcale Lotts
The Southland Sharks have added a new addition to the lineup with American Marcale Lotts taking up one of the three import roster spots available.
Lotts is a New Orleans native who turned 29 on Christmas Day.
After a college stint with Canisius in the States Lotts has been playing professionally in Spain.
At 2.01m Lotts will bring size to the Sharks lineup.
Scott Telfer
Invercargill-born Scott Telfer has joined the Southland Sharks for the 2024 NBL season.
The 25-year-old 196cm forward, for the upcoming season. Telfer played three seasons for the Taranaki Airs and prior to that lined up for the Supercity Rangers in the New Zealand league.
He was part of the Taranaki team that won the New Zealand NBL regular season in 2022.
HEADING ELSEWHERE
Dru-Leo Leusogi-Ape
joined the Southland Sharks for the 2022 and 2023 NBL season where he captured plenty of interest through his athleticism.
He became a key figure for the Sharks although injury did hinder his 2023 campaign. Leusogi-Ape has confirmed he won’t be back in orange in 2024 and instead will line up for the Franklin Bulls.
What he said: “This is a big year for me so I’m keen on getting to work!”
