The Huddle - April

Huddle Newsletter, April 2025

Kia ora, NBS Nelson Giants supporters – it's time for edition 2 of The Huddle, the insiders' insight into what's happening with your team in the Sal's National Basketball League. This time, we touch on significant personnel changes, early impressions from the first month in the NBL and give a shout-out to our top of the table Rapid League lineup.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Followers on our social media channels will have seen last week that American guard Jaylen Forbes was released after four games in the NBL and has returned to Mississippi. It's one of the toughest sides of the sport but Jaylen understood the process and we thank him for his professionalism, courtesy and contribution.



Coach Mike Fitchett's priority is to get another guard in town as soon as possible and he's been burning up the phone lines to find the right fit. The Giants need someone soon to share the ballhandling and on court leadership duties with Alex (Naughty) McNaught, who has carried a heavy workload at the point guard spot.



There are a couple of options open and Mike is focused on having a player in Giants blue in time for Saturday's Trafalgar Centre matchup with the Tauranga Whai.

BIG SHOES TO FILL

Bye Callum, hi Callum. In a couple of weeks from now, we say “cheers, cobber” to centre Callum Dalton, who has been with us since the pre-season as our import centre. It was always understood that Dalton had made a commitment to join his hometown NBL1 team in Aussie, the Logan Thunder, and he'll head back across the Tasman on April 22. Callum has been a great fit – smart, hardworking and coachable and we'd have loved to be able to keep him in the group.



However, as Callum Dalton departs, Callum McRae arrives. The former Jet, 2023 Giant and Shark has been playing in Japan, averaging a handy 14 points and 10 rebounds for Veertien Mie. Big Cal, at 2.15m, brings a presence in the paint, elite passing and a smooth scoring touch. He's in town in time to head south to his former home court as we play the southern swing in Invercargill and Dunedin over Anzac weekend.



Later in the season, we are likely to lose a number of players to National Team duties. Hayden Jones, Lachy Crate, Will Blight and James Matthews all in the mix for the Junior Tall Blacks side to contest the World Cup, held in Switzerland in June and July.

YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE

A month into the Sal's NBL and there's no hiding from the fact that the NBS Giants are mired near the bottom of the league ladder with a 0-5 record. Pre-season predictions with the team in the top two have proven unrealistic, but it's already at the point where each game becomes a “must-win” to keep playoff ambitions intact.



The draw certainly did Nelson no favours – facing the potential top 6 in their first six games, a streak that started with the two-time defending champions in Christchurch on the day they raised another championship banner, but excuses aren't going to cut it. After an 0-3 start last season, Nelson made the playoffs, so while the Giants are in a bigger hole this year, that is the minimum target for this year's squad. Coach Mike, captain Sam Dempster and the squad know the pieces are there – but they haven't clicked together yet.



“I get people complimenting us on our fightback when we turn a 15-point first-quarter deficit into a four-point gap, then we lose by 7. But that's still a loss,” Fitchett said. “If we don't go 15 down, if we put some pressure on other teams and make them chase us, things can play out differently. We need to be much better in how we start games.”

STATS STUFFERS

It's a team game but it's also important to acknowledge early-season performers. The two forwards who left the Manawatū Jets to cross the strait; Liam Judd and Lachy Crate, have slotted in seamlessly and are delivering healthy contributions.



Last year, the Giants were sketchy three-point shooters, allowing teams to sag off and pack the paint defensively. Judd's having none of that as he is shooting from range at a ridiculous 62% while he's bouncy enough to dunk on teams who overplay him on the wing.



Crate is using his strong frame and defensive versatility to guard positions 1-4, he's a bull on the drive to the basket and is growing into his role off the bench, gaining confidence and composure with each outing.



And Hayden Jones was always going to be handy … we are starting to see all of that talent emerge as he averages 12 points, four rebounds and three assists a game and ranks third or fourth in each of those major categories for this season's squad.

EARLY RISERS

Crowd numbers are holding steady in the Trafalgar Centre – fewer sellouts but also fewer empty seats as Giants supporters get behind the team or, if they can't attend, pass on their tickets to their noisiest mates. But it's well worth getting in an hour early to catch the Rapid League game.



The NBS Giants are the defending champions in the four-quarters-of-four-minutes game that precedes the Sal's NBL. Only bench players are involved, no imports, and it's 16 minutes of mayhem with sides regularly tallying better than 40 points. And those points count … for and against from the Rapid League are added to the totals for the main games. Last season, three teams were tied for sixth – Nelson made the playoffs thanks to the points differential secured by the Rapid League side. There's also $10,000 for the overall champions – the Giants are leading again this season and have a team built to shine in Rapid League.



It's worth an hour of your time to get into your seat early and watch these guys go to work.

NBS - BANKING FOR LIFE

When you choose to bank with NBS you choose to support your community.

Our principal partner NBS has been a passionate supporter of basketball in the Nelson-Tasman region for over 20 years. But have you ever wondered how NBS is able support the game in our community?



NBS offer a range of products and services that go beyond banking. From savings accounts, term investments, everyday banking, home loans and banking for business, they’ve got you covered. But here’s where they’re different. As a mutual society, they’re owned by their clients, allowing them to reinvest profits right back into the local community.



Whether you’re a supporter of the Nelson Giants, shooting hoops at your local court, playing at school, reps or NBL, NBS is at your side, lifting your basketball experience.



So, if you bank with NBS – give yourself a pat on the back. It’s thanks to you that NBS can invest in us.



Not an NBS client? Visit nbs.co.nz to learn more about banking for life and how together, you too can be part of our thriving basketball community.



Don’t forget, NBS is not a registered bank!

GO GIANTS GO

That's The Huddle for April. This week, keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram where our award-winning social media team will be the first with the news of player movements. And don't forget our next home game is this Saturday against the Tauranga Whai at 7.30pm.