The Hawke’s Bay Hawks have solidified their frontcourt with the signings of two experienced NBL big men.
Kareem Johnson and Arthur Trousdell are familiar names to NBL fans, having been solid producers for many years in New Zealand’s national league.
Johnson joins the Hawks for a fourth stint, after playing for the franchise from 2006-2008, 2012 and 2014.
A winner of multiple NBL championships, the American centre played for the Wellington Saints last season, averaging 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds on an extremely efficient 72.1% shooting from the field.
He was replaced mid-season by Australian big man Daniel Johnson, but in classic NBL circumstances, came back into the fold for one game against Taranaki after fellow Saints import Torrey Craig went down injured.
Johnson – aged 35 – will join Chris Porter (37) in possibly the oldest import combination in NBL history, but he will be a helpful asset manning the interior this season for the Hawks.
Trousdell, 34, has also spent plenty of time with the Hawks in his career, having debuted for them out of Hastings High School in 1998, before spending time with the team in 2001-02, 2006-07 and 2011.
The power forward won the title with the Hawks in 2006, and has also played for the Wellington Saints, Southland Sharks, Canterbury Rams and most recently the Manawatu Jets, where he suited up in 2014.
Trousdell averaged 10.2 points and 6.9 rebounds during that campaign, and the former NBL Rookie of the Year will be another solid veteran influence for the Hawks.
While their frontcourt is reasonably set, the Hawks are still left to confirm their guards for the 2016 season.
The Guam duo of Willie Stinnett and Joe Blas are onboard, as is long-time NBL veteran Matt Te Huna.
Promising young local guards are also set to be in the Hawks squad, who will need to find production from their backcourt to be competitive this season.
