AFTER some unexpected delays, Kentrell Barkley finally arrived in Australia to line up for the Mount Gambier Pioneers as they made their first foray into the Basketball SA Premier League competition.
Just three days before the round one tip off Barkley flew into the Blue Lake city and then faced a trip to Adelaide for a double-header to open the season.
Not only that, he had just flown in from the snow-covered mountainous region of Salt Lake City, faced with scorching Adelaide temperatures above 40 degrees.
Speaking to coach Richard Hill that same week, he was unsure if Barkley would even take to the floor, depending on jet lag and the lack of team training.
But take to the floor he did – and in style.
The opening match against North Adelaide saw 29 minutes on the floor for 12 points and 13 rebounds.
He then backed that up with a 20-minute cameo on Sunday against Sturt, for a return of 23 points and 13 rebounds.
It set the scene for what can be expected as the season unfolds.
For the quietly-spoken American big man there was simply one focus in his new colours.
“I just went out there, played hard and tried to help the team out as much as possible,” he said.
“Even though I was still learning the plays, I still tried to give it my all, to do the little things.”
While it was cold where Barkley came from, Adelaide certainly provided some heat, both on and off the court.
“The first game was pretty challenging,” he said.
“It was pretty intense and hot.
“The pace is pretty fast too, just trying to keep up doing it on both ends of the court, but I think we did a great job for our first game.”
Hill has long demanded team performances from his players, with big individual scores rare in the side.
Barkley seems to have already embraced that culture.
“I really love the team aspect,” he said.
“Back in the States that is something we really do not take pride in.
“This is the first place I have played where the team is first.
“We do everything together, we eat together, we stretch together.
“I love that about the Pioneers,” Barkley said.
“I feel like everyone here genuinely cares about everybody on the team.”
After the opening barrage, the Pioneers had a bye, which allowed time for the team to finally work together.
Barkley said he was already settling into the team well, along with his compatriot DayJar Dickson.
“The bond is strong between me and him,” he said.
“We talked every day before I got here, just to make sure everything was going well and making sure he was putting in the work.
“When I got here it was like we already knew each other.”
Barkley said he hopes to play a leadership role in the side, something he said was also lacking in his American experience, with some players simply not wanting to be led.
To come from the USA to Mount Gambier is something which can be a shock within itself, but Barkley said he was used to the size of the city.
“Where I went to college back in the States it was a college town, so the college was the town,” he said.
“The mall was pretty small, similar to our mall here.
“I like it and I am enjoying myself.
“I have met a lot of genuine people and I show love back.”
To have the opportunity to play in a team with such a rich history was also something that appealed to Barkley.
“I am just blessed to be here,” he said.
“I’m proud Richard gave me a chance to play here and I’m glad I could come out and experience Australia.
“I am blessed to be able to come to a team that has history, because I’m not used to being on a team that has a lot of history.
“I thank the Pioneers and I thank everybody who is a part of the staff, because I am going to give it my all and you never know, we might get another championship.”
That chance of a championship is one factor driving Barkley to succeed, as is the opportunity to play in front of the home crowd for the first time Saturday night at the Icehouse.
“I cannot wait,” he said.
“It is going to be a great show.”
