Kench, Bowden Sign
Tagged in: NBL
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The Canterbury Rams have made their first two signings with former schoolmates Jeremy Kench and Gerard Bowden reuniting to form a potent backcourt for the 2008 Dominion Finance NBL season.
Both are former Canterbury age group representatives and Middleton Grange Gators guards, and have had overseas experience. Kench is playing his second year in the Australian NBL season and Bowden recently graduating from a four-year scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, USA.
These signings follows hard on the heels of last week’s announcement that Canterbury coaching stalwart Bert Knops would rejoin the team as head coach on a two-year deal.
“We are thrilled to secure the signings of these two top quality guards, who are products of the Canterbury age group development programme,” said Knops.
Kench (23) has been the Rams starting point guard and Tall Black trialist for the past two years. He is dynamic point guard and has the ability of break defences down with his dribble penetration and passing.
Last year, Kench posted averages of 13.8 points (49.8% FG), 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists (seventh in NBL) and 2.2 steals. During an upset win over the Hawks in Napier, he recorded 20 points, six boards and four assists.
After a stand-out 2006 Rams season, Kench linked with the Singapore Slingers in the Australian NBL as a back-up, before joining the Wollongong Hawks for this current season. He has stepped up for the Hawks recently, including career-high hauls of 16 points and eight assists in separate games off the bench.
“Jeremy is going to be a major contributor this season and we will be looking to him for leadership of this team,” said Knops.
Bowden (24) is a slashing two-guard with scoring range and played limited minutes for the Rams in 2002 before going to US preparatory school Tilton for a year and commencing his college career in 2003/04.
During his time with the SCAD Bees, Bowden set the school scoring record and averaged 15.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists from 116 games. Meanwhile, he was busy off the court, completing his degree in motion graphics and broadcast design.
“We are looking forward to having Gerard back in Canterbury after a solid college career and working with him to develop his game further,” said Knops.
The Rams commence their season on Saturday, March 1, against the Nelson Giants at the refurbished Cowles Cauldron.
