Basketball New Zealand

Jeremiah Trueman (Photosport)

Murray Hills, Taranaki Daily News
Jeremiah Trueman can’t wait to get back on court and play basketball.

The Tall Black and Breakers forward, who has signed with the Taranaki Mountain Airs for this year’s National Basketball League, has been starved of court time this year.

In some games for the Breakers he only got a few minutes, in others none.

“The most time I got was against the Wollongong Hawks, 17 minutes,” said the 22-year-old who stands 2.05m.

“I’m just looking forward to playing again. It’s been a while with the Breakers missing the playoffs. Hopefully, I’ll get plenty of minutes for Taranaki. It’s a chance for me to make a mark and help get things moving forward.”

Trueman said he had been impressed with what he had seen at practice since arriving late last week.

“Things are pretty good. We’re definitely going to be one of the fittest teams in the league. We’re a young side and we’ll play a run and gun style of play. It’s exciting and it suits my play, we definitely have the tools to push the tempo.”

Another thing Trueman was enjoying was the home comforts.

“We’re [his wife Mary and six-month old son Josiah] staying with mum and dad [Trueman's parents Cathy and Marty]. It’s been nice spending time with them after being away so long,” Trueman said.

Trueman knows Taranaki’s opener against Nelson will be tough – especially after the Giants lost to the Waikato Pistons 92-73 in Te Awamutu last night.

“I played for Nelson in 2004 and 2005 before heading to university in the United States. They’ve got a number of players who are Tall Blacks or former Tall Blacks and are always tough to beat.”

The addition of Trueman to the playing roster is a big plus for new coach Angelo Hill who took over from Trent Adam after a disastrous 2009 season that failed to net a win.

“Jeremiah plays hard and has a good work ethic. He’s the type of player who will do the business on court and gives us double doubles, say 15 points and 10 rebounds,” Hill said.

Like Trueman, Hill expected a tough battle tonight.

“They’re a perennial power. It’s not a cake walk game. They’ll be coming here to pick up a win,” Hill said. “It’s just nice to finally be playing. It’s a chance to play the best and it will show us just where we are.

“Sure they will be hard with guys like Phill Jones, Tony Rampton and Michael Fitchett, but we need to start well. Hopefully, the crowd will come along and get behind us.”

Also last night, the Christchurch Cougars beat the Bay Hawks 75-72.