Liam McRae joins the Shark tank

The SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks have added another big body and further depth to its 2021 squad with the signing of Liam McRae for the upcoming Sal’s National Basketball League season.

A Palmerston North native, McRae is back in the country after completing five years in the United States and fills another important piece of the puzzle for Head Coach Rob Beveridge.

“I believe that Liam has gone under the radar and he is going to be a very good fit and contributor to our team this season. His big body and his ability to rebound, set great screens for our shooters and to do a lot of the dirty work is going to be integral for us this year,” Beveridge said.

“Liam also is a great person who loves to coach young players and is excited about immersing himself into our Southland community,” he said.

McRae played two years at South East Nebraska College with fellow NBL players Richie Rodger (Otago Nuggets) and Taylor Britt (Canterbury Rams) as roommates, before transferring to North Dakota where he played NCAA Division Two ball for Minot State.

He signed to play in Queensland’s State League last season before the country went into lockdown two days before his departure, meaning he is champing at the bit to make the most of his opportunity in Southland.

“The Sharks are known as the premier side in the New Zealand NBL so to get an opportunity to come down and plan here doesn’t come every day so I jumped at it,” McRae said.

“I can’t wait to get into it and to have access to Bevo (Head Coach Beveridge) as a resource is unbelievable. I’d be stupid not to take full advantage of him and learn as much as possible,” he said.

The SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks open the Sal’s NBL season on the road in Nelson on Monday 26 April with its first home game at ILT Stadium Southland against the Taranaki Mountainairs on Thursday 29 April at 7:30pm. For more information visit sharksbasketball.co.nz.