FROM Warriors’ enemy to ally, the path to the Big V for Jed Bentley has been a little different than most.

He was scouted to Pakenham’s Big V team by Warriors coach Ryan Rogers, who ironically was watching Bentley play for the Warrandyte Venom against the Warriors in the Melbourne Metropolitan Basketball League (MMBL).

Bentley, a 21-year-old prospect from Croydon, has played around the state but will call the Warriors’ home this season after Rogers gave him the call up.

"First of all, I’ve never played Big V basketball and when I saw Ryan wanted me to play for Pakenham, I said I’d love to take the opportunity," Bentley said.

"I was playing at Warrandyte and now Ryan’s asked me to come down and play for Pakenham.

"I played against them on a Wednesday night and they’re a good structured team with a really good culture at the club."

His season aspirations are to get the Warriors back into finals contention and become part of the nucleus for future success.

"Definitely want to make the playoffs... get into the core structure of the team and get along with all the players and the coach and definitely get some W’s on the board and just develop," he said.

Pakenham coach Rogers said Bentley was an unexpected find, but fits into the club culture well going ahead.

"I stumbled across him in an MMBL game and knew he was an untapped talent who we are excited to have on board.

"As with all the guys we have brought in from externally it’s about having quality players who are eager to buy into the club’s greater goal of sustained success and being a positive role model for all our juniors which Jed fits into perfectly."

Pakenham takes on Melton and Coburg in two Big V pre-season matches on 16 and 17 February, from 4pm and 1pm respectively at Cardinia Life.