The Hume City Broncos have locked in the first of their imports for the Big V state championship season.
American Malik McKinney has arrived at the club to help replace star import Troyce Manassa who left the club for a move to Wyndham in October. Last season’s competition leading scorer, Scottie Stone, will arrive in Australia soon having also joined the club.
McKinney has represented both Seton Hall and West Liberty University Athletics where he was a part of the Mountain East Conference Tournament winning team this year. He recorded 16 points, five rebounds and three assists in the title clinching game, finishing the season with averages of 11.9 points, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
After touching down in Australia just last month McKinney is now gearing up for a big debut season when it kicks off in March.
“It’s been really nice, the people have been really welcoming and the whole Broncos family have been really nice to me,” he said.
“The people around Melbourne and around where I’m living right now, the people are just so laid back and cool.
“It’s a lot different than the US but I’m definitely getting used to it and I like it.”
McKinney said while there is additional pressure placed on his game being an import it is something he is ready to deal with, with his time playing college basketball giving him the experience of playing in high pressure games in front of big crowds.
“The added pressure is definitely a thing but honestly, I’ve been dealing with pressure my whole basketball career in the United States,” he said.
“So I’m looking forward to that and I’m prepared for it.
“[Playing college basketball] was a great experience, it gets you ready for anything, in all types of situations. We played in the national championship in my last year and we fell a bit short but we played in front of a ton of fans and it was nationally televised across the US.
“They’re experiences that you can’t really get back and it really prepares you because you go through adversity and you go through highs and lows so it just sharpens your armour really.”
Last season the Broncos lost in the grand final to McKinnon Cougars, however McKinney is confident he and his new team can go one step further in 2024.
“I’m really excited, I feel like we have some better pieces this year and we’re definitely looking to change up the offence a little bit,” he said.
“I feel like we can definitely take it all the way this year. No doubt.”
Harper Sercombe
