NBL Preseason Game

South Dragons v New Zealand Breakers

The Geelong Arena

Wednesday 5^th September, tip off 7:30pm

 

Tickets now on sale by contacting Basketball Geelong on 5277 1388 or purchasing at the Basketball Geelong ticket office.

Adults $10       Children $5      Family $25

 

Herbert joins Dragons' lair

28/08/2007

Courtesy of South Dragons Media www.southdragons.com.au

 

Following a hugely successful year in the SEABL, Nathan Herbert has signed as a development player with the Crazy John's South Dragons for the 2007/08 season.

Herbert was signed after six seasons with the Geelong Supercats, whom he helped to the Australian Basketball Association national finals at the weekend.

The 22-year-old forward has signed a one-year contract with the club that will see him train full time and suit up for all home games to the end of the coming season.

A relative latecomer to the elite basketball scene, Herbert came to the attention of the Crazy John's South Dragons' coaching staff after an impressive few seasons with Geelong.

"I didn't do a lot in junior basketball, I sort of came in at the under-18 level with the Supercats and it just went from there," Herbert said.

"I've been with the Supercats since 2002 and I didn't think anything would ever come of it but all of a sudden the development spot came up and it's perfect for me."

Herbert first joined the Crazy John's South Dragons at the launch of their pre-season campaign last month, hitting the practice court hard in a bid to shore up his position with the club.

Now, having formally signed to the development role, Herbert is intent on maximising the opportunity ahead.

"I understand that with a development spot you don't get court time and I'm happy with that; I'm just hoping to learn day in, day out and to pick up things every day," he said.

"Personally, I think I need to work on my defence and to increase my speed, ball handling skills, guarding the guard. I've got to get more consistent with my shot, I can shoot the three alright but it needs to be more consistent.

"I think training with the likes of Cortez Groves and the sort of people at the club, you've got to get better."

Herbert has been quick to learn what it takes to make it on the professional circuit since joining the team in July.

"Everyone's so strong and just the physicality of it, everyone's so much more mature and if you do get beaten up on defence, someone's going to score. It's not like they might miss the shot, they're going to score; if you get beaten, you're in trouble," he said.

With two months of training now under his belt, Herbert will enter the 2007/08 season with a view to landing a roster position.

"I'll do this development year and pick up everything I can at training and then go back to Geelong and play another season with the Supercats in the SEABL and hopefully that will be a better year again, and then maybe I'll get a roster spot somewhere," he said.

"That's the aim but I'm not looking too far ahead at the moment, I'm just sort of taking it day in, day out and coming to training to learn every day."

Crazy John's South Dragons' basketball development coach Michele Timms said Herbert was a standout performer throughout the cub's intensive trial process.

"He can shoot the lights out, he's great to work with and he's a good learner of the game," Timms said.

"We'll really be working on his ball skills and coming off pick and rolls and handling the ball and getting into his shot and being able to score off the dribble.

"We know he's a fantastic catch and shoot and he's just so reliable, he's got one of the most beautiful shots I think I've seen and he's consistent with it too."

Herbert will suit up for the Crazy John's South Dragons when the team takes on the New Zealand Breakers on Wednesday, September 5 at Geelong Arena.