THE Mount Gambier Pioneers have added the latest piece of the puzzle as they gear up for the 2019 Premier League out of Adelaide.
Sam Daly has been announced to join brother Tom in the roster, due to arrive after the Sydney Kings have finished their NBL finals run.
Daly has been with the Kings for the last couple seasons, which should provide some valuable experience in the new-look Pioneers roster.
Standing six-foot-four in the old scale, Daly is a combo guard and a perfect fit with outside shooting specialist Erik Burdon and point guard Tom Daly, who both return for their ninth and seventh seasons respectively.
A former Sturt junior, Sam Daly had a four-year college career in the USA before returning to Australia to join Kilsyth in the now defunct South East Australian Basketball League and the Sydney Kings where he is now in his second year.
In the USA he averaged 11.4 points, four rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game in his senior year at Chaminade in the NCAA, then followed that up with 11.1, 3.3, 3.1 and 1.3 last season for Kilsyth.
“I’m really looking forward to joining Tom and my new team mates in Mount Gambier and working hard with Richo to take my game to the next level,” Daly said.
Pioneers head coach Richard Hill said he was excited to have Daly in the revamped team.
“Sam has made a bold decision to join our program with his development in mind,” he said.
“His attitude and focus on becoming the best player he can be, whilst reconnecting with his brother and helping us in a challenging situation has really impressed me.”
Daly adds to what Hill believes will be one of the strongest starting fives in the competition, with the roster close to complete.
That includes Sam and Tom Daly, Burdon, American Kentrell Barkley, plus one other import to be announced in the coming days.
“If we don’t get any injuries, I believe we will be good enough to beat most teams,” Hill said.
The Premier League season is set to tip off on March 2.
