Fresh off championship success in the Big V men’s division 2 competition, the Altona Gators have boosted their roster, signing American import Brian Adams.
Adams originates from the Bronx in New York and is a 193 centimetre combo guard, who can score at multiple levels and defend at a high level too.
He recently finished his college playing career at the University of La Verne. In his final season he averaged 14.4 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal a game.
After being in Australia for a number of weeks now, Adams said he has enjoyed the move across the globe and getting to know his Gator teammates.
“It’s a great experience, seeing new things, meeting new people,” he said. “It’s been a good start, loving it so far.
“We’ve gelled well and easy, they’re all good guys so it’s not hard to gel with good guys.
“Coming from La Verne definitely helped me adjust to Australian life because California was a new experience for me.
“The people at La Verne opened up to me with open arms and nothing but good vibes and love. Here it is kind of the same, so I’m gelling and fitting in well.”
As a player, Adams enjoys being a tricky matchup, at a tricky in between height between a back and front court player. But this is just one of his many strengths he brings to the Gators.
“My strengths are being a vocal leader, having a defensive presence, being a defensive anchor,” he said.
“Being a mismatch on the offensive end, if a bigs guarding me I can take a big if a small is guarding me I can use my size.
“I’m definitely a lot to handle, I bring a lot to the game and I bring energy and hunger.”
Now in division 1, nothing will come easy for the Gators, but Adams said he knows this and so do his teammates, as they strive for back-to-back championship rings.
“We can’t take anything for granted,” he said. “Coming off the win, there’s definitely a good feeling around after a fun time for them.
“Now it’s about getting back to work and knowing that we’re in a different division and nothing’s going to be handed to us.
“Every guy understands that so we’re taking it day by day and laying it brick by brick.”
The Gators are set to kick off their season on March 17 against Gippsland United.
