Cairns Taipans’ guard Jarrad Weeks is the newest name to join the SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks for the 2018 New Zealand National Basketball League season. The man known as Agent 97 (his playing number) is coming off his second season with the Snakes, in which he featured in all 27 games and brought up his 100th Australian NBL appearance.
Weeks was a highly sought-after commodity with several New Zealand clubs chasing his services, but he said the decision to join the Sharks became an easy one.
“Judd (Flavell) laid out how the Sharks roll and all about the club, the culture and the atmosphere down there and it sounded awesome and I’m just really excited to be part of that and hopefully we can get some wins and maybe a title as well,” Weeks said.
“I like to play an up-tempo style of basketball, up-and-in on the defensive end and try and go down the other end and get some sneaky dunks if I can or push the ball and try and play an exciting brand of basketball. I think with the guys Judd has in the team we can accomplish that and really make a good push at it (the NBL title),” he said.
Sharks fans can also thank one of their own, James Hunter, for Weeks’ prized signature.
“I played with and against James growing up and we share an agent. Once word got out that I’d chatted with Judd he sent me some messages and said it’s a great town and all the people are really nice and it’s a great atmosphere to play in. So, that was the final nail in the coffin with my decision.”
Weeks cut his NBL teeth as a Development Player with the Sydney Kingz, playing 24 games over three seasons before a year playing professionally in Germany. He got his break as an injury replacement for the Illawarra Hawks in 2015/16 where he became a vital member of the roster that led the league in offence, before being picked up by the Taipans.
SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks Head Coach Judd Flavell is delighted to have Weeks’ attacking flair to complement his roster which already boasts Reuben Te Rangi, Alex Pledger, James Hunter, Derone Raukawa, Luke Aston and new recruit Ton Vodanovich.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Jarrad. He has just come off a great season with Cairns where he played his way into the starting line-up and solidified himself as a premier guard in the Australian NBL,” Flavell said.
“Jarrad brings a tonne of energy and enthusiasm and I’m sure he’ll quickly become a fan favourite. He is capable of playing both guard positions which gives us flexibility to play varying line-ups.”
The SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks begin their NBL campaign on April 26th with a tough away back-to-back against the high-flying Taylor Hawks and defending champion Wellington Saints, before opening their home season at ILT Stadium Southland on Thursday 10th May against the newly-returned Manawatu Jets.
Season tickets are currently on sale via ILT Stadium Southland with individual game tickets due to go on sale next month. For full ticketing details click here.