Unique Shark on track to be named NBL's best player
“He really values winning. He wants to win, so he leaves it all out there. When you see one of your teammates do that, it makes you want to do that."
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It was initially supposed to be a shortish stay in Invercargill for Josiah Allick when he arrived from America earlier this year.
The Sharks’ plan for the 24-year-old was that he would play the first half of the 2025 NBL season before departing.
His exit was supposed to be timed around the arrival of fellow big man Sam Timmins, as well as the introduction of another point guard from America.
It didn’t take long for Sharks coach Jonathan Yim to rethink that plan. Allick had to stay.
The high-energy Lincoln, Nebraska, product has made a significant mark on the New Zealand Basketball League in what’s his first-ever pro contract.
With three games to play in the Sharks’ regular season, Allick is on track to be named the league’s MVP and also have Southland playing its first playoff game since 2021.
He leads the MVP voting with fellow Sharks import Keylan Boone not too far behind.
Allick is a unique character, whether it be his on-court look, or obsession with finding the best-priced eggs in Invercargill.
He told The Roar Podcast earlier this season that he prefers to be at home cooking healthy meals - or undertaking an extensive search for the best deals on eggs - than venturing out late at night.
“I obviously take a major precedent in keeping myself in shape, just to be able to play long and play as hard as I can. One of my main goals this year is setting the tone every game,” Allick said, which he has since delivered on.
“I don't ever want it to be a discussion on who the hardest-playing player on the court is.”
Coach Yim said Allick works hard, is a great teammate, and is a pleasure to coach.
“He really values winning. He wants to win, so he leaves it all out there. When you see one of your teammates do that, it makes you want to do that.
“He really does uplift everybody and pushes everybody to give their maximum effort as well”, Yim said.
Allick’s role within the Sharks’ setup has had to change throughout the season with the arrival of Timmins.
Timmins has slotted into the centre position with Allick often taking up the power forward duties.
“Our big word since Sam and Brayden [Inger] have come in has been ‘sacrifice’. Josiah had to sacrifice a little bit.
“But I have to credit to Sam too, he had to sacrifice a little bit. He probably got more shots on other teams.
“It was just finding the right balance between the two. My big thing to the guys is you just have to find ways to impact winning.”
Both Allick and Timmins certainly had an impact on Southland’s latest victory which was a 92-76 win over Hawke’s Bay on Friday.
Between them, they notched up 42 points and 24 rebounds.
The Southland Sharks will be back out on court against the Auckland Tuatara in Auckland on Sunday.
Tip-off in the Sal’s NBL fixture is scheduled for 3pm, which will follow the Rapid League fixture at 2pm.