By RUSSELL BENNETT
BERWICK big man – and Melbourne United’s inaugural marquee signing – Daniel Kickert isn’t getting carried away but he has high hopes for the NBL side in the coming seasons.
The 31-year-old, versatile 6’10″ (208-centimetre) local is thrilled to be back home – signing on with United – formerly the Melbourne Tigers – after an eight-year stint playing professionally in Europe.
Originally a part of the powerful Nunawading junior program, Kickert went on to attend the Australian Institute of Sport and then spent four years at St Mary’s University – known for fostering elite Aussie talent in the American college system.
He left St Mary’s as the school’s all-time leading scorer and embarked on a strong European career.
He most recently averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game and shot the three-ball at an impressive 44 per cent during a stint in the Liga ACB in Spain last season following a tumultuous time playing in the Ukraine.
Kickert has been in constant contact with United in recent years and there was mutual interest for him to return to his home town to play – it’s just that the timing wasn’t right.
“Things just hadn’t fallen into place and I was enjoying my time over in Europe,” he told the Gazette.
“Then this year all the cards fell into place, it opened up and I had a chat to them and my wife and I decided it was a great opportunity and a great time to come back home and be part of a new club and a new brand.”
Now, in the lead-in to his first NBL season, the former Australian Boomer is thrilled about the prospect of playing such a key role in a roster which includes Mark Worthington, Daryl Corletto and American import Stephen Dennis, who Kickert described as “probably one of the most athletic guys the NBL has ever seen”.
Dennis, a 26-year-old guard, snapped his achilles tendon on the eve of the last NBL season just as he was due to suit up for the Melbourne Tigers and the club is thrilled with his recovery and recommitment to the team.
“I think our roster is strong from top to bottom and I think we’ve got the right types of guys as well – guys who are going to sacrifice minutes or points or whatever it is,” Kickert said.
“Guys are on the same page – we all want to get this first championship and then try and pile them on for the brand.
“We want the brand to be successful, and we want basketball and the NBL to be successful here.
“It is really exciting.”
While Kickert is still getting used to coming home to his own house and spending more time with his family and friends, he said it was “a great change”.
The NBL’s marquee player rule, under which Kickert was signed, is an initiative introduced by the league for this coming season that allows one player per team outside the salary cap.
United’s roster currently includes Kickert, Dennis, Mark Worthington, Lucas Walker, David Barlow, Daryl Corletto, Auryn MacMillan, Owen Odigie and Nate Tomlinson.
