Otago Nuggets

The OCEANAGOLD Nuggets, formerly the Otago Nuggets, are a New Zealand professional basketball team that play in the National Basketball League. They play their home games at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.

2006 season

After a series of 8 losses the then called Otago Nuggets managed a convincing 19 point win against the Harbour Heat. In rounds 8 and 9 they had consecutive wins against two top of the table teams, however this was not enough to move them off the bottom of the table and they finished the season 3-15.

2008 season

The Nuggets coached by American Don Simms have had another unsuccussful season in 2008 so far with their record sitting at 2-14. Two players Nat Connell and Steve Robinson were suspended mid season for breaching the league's drug protocols, this severely hampered the Nuggets' chances and recently American import Lamar Gayle has left the team due to differences with management. Although from a playing standpoint this has been an unsuccessful season the development of Dunedin players such as James Ross, Tom Allan, Josh O'Connell, and Tom Rowe has been pleasing and if the Nuggets players can continue to develop, and two strong imports are secured, next season could be a promising one for the Nuggets.

2009 season

Due to lack of funds, the Nuggets sadly pulled out of the 2009 season.

2010 season

After backing from OceanaGold Corporation, who are a significant Pacific Rim gold producer who have a large mine at Macraes north of Dunedin, The newly named OCEANAGOLD NUGGETS are making a comeback in 2010.

Basketball Otago appointed Mr. Alf Arlidge as Head Coach of the OceanaGold Otago Nuggets for the 2010 season. Arlidge brings a local flavour to the role and has been involved in coaching in the region for the last twenty years.

Arlidge, currently the elite men’s coach for Basketball Otago has been involved in the elite men’s program for the last two years and will led the Oceana Gold Nuggets on a tour to Australia in December 2009 where they had a 4 and 4 record.

Brimming with local talent and some outstanding imports it is hoped that they may turn the corner from regular cellar dwellers. The local talent that was developed in 2008 have signed including Junior Tall Blacks Riki Buckrell and Tom Rowe, Hayden Miller, James Ross, and former Nelson Giant and Christchurch Cougar Sam To’omata.

Joining local talent will be the outstanding import from 2008, Antoine Tisby. Tisby averaged an impressive double-double, with 24.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in 11 games. Tisby’s efforts on the boards saw him secure the Garry Pettis Memorial Trophy as the NBL’s leading rebounder in 2008.

Joining Tisby in 2010 is Tyler Amaya who is a 27-year-old, 2.00m (6 ft 7in) forward from Bellingham, Washington. Amaya has played professionally in the USA, China, Germany, and Holland and was invited to trial for the Houston Rockets last September.

Amaya is currently playing for the Seattle Mountaineers in the ABA, where he is averaging over 26 points, seven rebounds and is leading the team with 3.5 assists.

2011 season

The Otago Nuggets defeated the North Island's Manawatu Jets on Saturday, 21 May 2011, to end the Nuggets' 33-game losing streak in the New Zealand National Basketball League. The final score was Nuggets 74, Jets 67. Inerestingly, the Nuggets' last win before this game was also against the Jets, on 12 April 2008.

Current Roster

# Pos. Player Height - PF B. J. Anthony 198cm - PG Mark Dickel 188cm - SF Leon Henry 200cm

Depth chart

Pos.	Starter	Bench	Bench	Reserve
C
PF	B. J. Anthony
SF	Leon Henry
SG
PG	Mark Dickel

References

Kiwi Hoops official website - "Basketball Never Sleeps"

Basketball Otago official website