Basketball New Zealand

Josh Bloxham (Photosport)

Pete McNae, Nelson Mail
Josh Bloxham entered the Nelson Giants changing room at the end of last season as a spindly boy and this year stepped out as a man.

Packing an extra 5kg of muscle on his 1.87m frame, the Fico Finance Giants guard is also packing an extra dose of self-confidence and it’s showing on the courts in the Bartercard national basketball league.

In his fourth full season with the Giants, the 20-year-old (he celebrated his birthday with a win over Wellington Saints last Saturday) is set to finally show the sort of talent that marked him as a future international when he was a 13-year-old in Blenheim.

He’s started on the right track, leading the Giants in scoring in a pre-season tournament in Christchurch and carrying that confidence into the first three games in the NBL season, where he is averaging 11 points and three assists a game. He’s making 50 per cent of his three-point shots and has an impressive 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.

It’s hard to recognise the formerly fragile and uncertain Bloxham in the Giants’ speedy sixth man.

The transformation began when he played for New Zealand in the world under-19 championships last year and had his eyes opened.

“The American team were physically streets above everybody else,” Bloxham said. “All of them were really muscular and could take the knocks without getting put off their game.”

With the help of Giants trainer Claire Dallison, Bloxham embarked on an off-season programme to add muscle without losing his speed.

“I’ve found the extra strength has actually helped my speed and jumping ability. I’m not sure what point I could get to before more muscle starts to slow me down so I’m happy to play at 85kg,” he said.

“The fact that I can play more aggressively has helped my confidence, too. I feel like I can attack without getting bumped around and that I can finish at the basket better.”

Bloxham has the green light from coach Chris Tupu and veterans Phill Jones, Mika Vukona, Mike Fitchett and Tony Rampton, too. They’ve told him to “just keep doing what I’ve been doing” and are welcoming the playmaking and scoring input and the extra rest he’s been able to provide.

“I had some individual goals at the start of the season but Toops [Tupu] has encouraged me to let the game come to me because good things will develop from us all doing our jobs within the team. But, he’s made it clear he wants to help develop my game and wants me to play a bigger role with the Giants.”

It’s not just the bulkier biceps that have signalled a change in Bloxham, however. He’s playing with maturity and trying to soak up some of the leadership skills of Fitchett and Jones..

“When Fitch is off the court, it’s dead quiet out there. When’s he’s playing, it’s like there is a dog barking all the time,” Bloxham said. “I’m not naturally vocal like that but I’m trying.

“I think maybe I am growing up, getting smarter, gaining some confidence from knowing I’ve put the work in … all those things.”

And the league is taking notice. Bloxham was courted by other teams who saw him perform at the world champs, while averaging a disappointing 9 minutes and 1.5 points a night with last season’s Giants.

“I suppose they thought I’d be getting frustrated but I’d rather grow up and learn with a team like the Giants than get more time with a bad team.

“I’m doing a Bachelor of Commerce in my own town, living pretty cheaply with mum and dad with the great home cooking and getting my washing done and I’m going up against Phill and Fitch every night. Some guys would have moved for the court time but I knew that, if I put the work in, the chances would come.

“Staying in Nelson was just a no-brainer.”