Dialls coming ‘home’
Goldfields Giants import Darnell Dialls is giving up the California sunshine for another shot at State Basketball League glory.
Dialls, the slam-dunking hero of the Giants’ 2008 championship, told the Kalgoorlie Miner from Orange County, California he is thrilled to be returning to his “second home”.
The 203cm power forward is due in Kalgoorlie-Boulder next month.
“For the past few months I’ve been living in California with my girlfriend who just started law school in Orange County, ” Dialls said.
“We drove across the country all the way from Kentucky which is almost like driving to Sydney from Perth.
“Now I’m just working out, enjoying the weather and relaxing until it’s time to come there.”
Dialls, a former NCAA Division 1 player with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, will join guard Matt Rosinski as the Giants’ second overseas import for 2011.
It shapes as a memorable comeback for Dialls, who in just 23 games in 2008, became a cult hero at the Giants as they won back-to-back SBL championships. That season, Dialls averaged 22.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game – the best offensive numbers of any Giants player since Ricky Cannon in 1998.
Dialls was Most Valuable Player in the 101-82 grand final win over Willetton, racking up 32 points and 16 rebounds in what ranks as one of the most dominant performances in SBL history.
“After I left the Giants I went to the Netherlands and played the 2008-09 season with the Bluesteam Seals, ” he said.
“The season didn’t go all that well, but I learned a lot. Instead of playing overseas the following year I chose to finish my last year of school at Eastern Kentucky University.
“I graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design.
“Around the same time a semi-pro ABA team called the Bluegrass Stallions started up in the same city.
“Luckily, I was able to finish my studies and not miss out on a whole season of basketball.
“We finished the year in third place losing in the semi-finals of the play-offs.” The Giants have made four major signings during the off-season with Dialls, Rosinski and Australian centre Gary Street new additions to last season’s roster.
Forward Lordan Franich also re-signed after an impressive debut season in 2010.
“My main reason for coming back is I knew I would always be welcomed by the Giants to come and play again, ” he said.
“I love the people associated with the team and the town is like a second home.”
Meanwhile, the Giants face another gruelling campaign of 26 regular season games, including 13 on the road, after Basketball WA released the 2011 SBL fixtures late last week.
The Giants open their account on March 19-20 with a road double-header against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns and Wanneroo Wolves.
Article by Jarrod Lucas (Kalgoorlie Miner)
Photo by Travis Anderson (Andmedia/SportsVision)
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