The Mike Pero Nelson Giants retained the services of exciting young point guard, Alex McNaught. After making a number of appearances for the Giants in the 2020 NBL Showdown in Auckland, McNaught moved to Nelson prior to the 2021 Sal’s NBL season and has now made Nelson his home.
McNaught is excited to sign on for what is now his hometown team.
“2021 was an up and down year for me, with some games I was really stoked about and some games that I could have played better. I’m really looking to be a bit more consistent this year and earn more playing time. Hopefully my defence will be good again and I can pick up my offence.”
Giants’ fans will be looking forward to McNaught leading the Giants’ defence. In 2021 he was a key part in a number of furious Giants comebacks, with his full court defence harassing opposing guards and causing a number of turnovers. Giants Head Coach Michael Fitchett is looking forward to letting McNaught loose.
“Alex has the chance to be an elite defender in this league. He moves really well in defensive stance, has a huge motor and genuine desire to put the clamps on opposition guards. Unfortunately, that is a rare trait in players, that real willingness to give everything defensively. He still has a ways to go in his positioning and reading the game defensively, but he has the tools to be a defender in the ilk of Shea Ili, who is no doubt NZ’s best guard defender at the moment”.
Like all young players, McNaught’s offence is still a work in progress. He is focused on becoming a true point guard and developing the ability to lead the team on the floor.
“I hang my hat on my defence, but all players these days need to be a threat on offence. I am working hard on my shooting and my decision making, so hopefully I’ll have a good season at that end of the floor. I want my teammates and coaches to trust that I will make the right play, or the right read, so that is big for me.”
Fitchett is excited about what the future holds for McNaught.
“Alex has a chance to play at a higher level than the NZNBL. He has worked hard in the offseason and is in much better shape than last year. He is taking a more professional approach off the court and has worked really hard with our strength coach, Fletcher Matthews. I can’t wait to see the results out on the floor.”
Fitchett expects to recruit an import point guard, but this player will likely play alongside McNaught in a strong defensive back court.
McNaught has again been sponsored by Glenn Roberts Electrical. The support of our Player Sponsors is integral to the Club’s operations, and we thank the team at Glenn Roberts Electrical for their continued support of the Giants and Alex.
The Giants will be having their first preseason hit out in early April, facing the Rams in Greymouth in a 2-game series.
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