Giants sign talented young duo
The Mike Pero Nelson Giants have welcomed two rising stars, with the addition of Aucklanders Josh Leger and Alex McNaught to the 2021 roster.
Both Josh and Alex will be familiar faces to Giants fans, having suited up for the Giants at the Sal’s NBL Showdown in 2020.
Both players joined the 2020 squad as injury replacements and impressed enough to gain significant court time throughout the Showdown.
Josh comes with an excellent sporting pedigree, with cousins Krystal and Charlisse Leger-Walker currently dominating in the US University basketball system, uncle Gus Leger having represented Tonga at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and cousin Orbyn Leger currently captaining the Counties Manukau rugby team.
He is also the nephew of Tall Ferns legend Leanne Walker.
“My family has always been a sporting one, so I was always around rugby and netball. With my height and auntie's stature in basketball, it was a sport that I got into easily. Now my rugby background is helping with the more physical step up into the NBL.”
Josh made the move to Nelson in October 2020, finding work at Stirling Sports and moving in with team-mate Tom Ingham.
Coach Mike Fitchett was impressed by the fact that Leger himself made the move happen.
“The fact that Josh organised his own job and accommodation showed me how motivated he is to be here. Josh and I spoke after the Showdown about him potentially coming down to Nelson for 2021.”
Mike says Mika Vukona was the first ones to talk to Josh about it.
“I guess the same move had worked out for Mika when he came down in 2000. I love that he is working for the Crocketts at Stirling Sports, as he can chat to Wyatt about top-level sports any time he has an issue or a question about life as a sportsman and all that it entails.”
Alex McNaught has also moved himself to Nelson to reunite with the Giants.
A product of high school powerhouse St Kentigern College, Alex showed a high level of defensive skill in his time at the Sal’s NBL Showdown in 2020.
Mike says Alex really reminds him of a young Shea Ili, in that, at age 18, he is already a high-level defender.
“He is super tough to screen and can make life really difficult for opposing guards. Also like Shea, his offence needs plenty of development at this age.”
Alex has been a member of several junior national teams but was not able to compete on the world stage in 2020 due to Covid-19.
“My goal is to secure a scholarship to a US University, and playing in the NBL is a great way to showcase my skills to recruiters. I also wanted to have a life experience away from the comforts of home before potentially heading to the States in August. I know Nelson is a great place to live, so it was a no-brainer for me to move myself down here. I’ve loved it so far.”
It is important to note that both players have signed amateur agreements, in order to retain their eligibility to play in the US Collegiate system in the future.
In spite of their amateur status, Mike expects both players to compete for court time this year, in a team that is shaping to be one of the deepest in the Sal’s NBL.