Basketball New Zealand

Southland Sharks Martin Iti

Brendon Egan, The Southland Times
Star Southland Sharks basketball signing Martin Iti says he harbours no ill feeling about not reaching the lofty heights of the NBA.

Iti aspired to play in the best basketball league in the world ever since he was 15 and moved from Australia to the United States to attend high school and college and further himself – but the dream failed to materialise.

In 2004, after his first year in college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, he put his name in the NBA draft before later deciding to withdraw. Two years ago, after transferring to New Mexico State University, Iti again entered the NBA draft but was not picked up, which left his promising career in limbo.

The 2.13m giant, who is still only 26, said he holds no bitterness and was still optimistic about where his professional career was heading.

“(Playing in the NBA) was one of my goals at the time, but as of now I’m just enjoying playing ball.”

Iti said the chance to return Down Under and play for the new Southland Sharks franchise was one he couldn’t refuse.

The Australian-born centre is also eligible for the Tall Blacks through his Kiwi mother (his father is Nigerian) and admitted he would love to be part of New Zealand’s squad for the World Championships in Turkey later this year.

“Most definitely it would be great to play for the Tall Blacks – that would be a blessing. Right now my concentration is on the Sharks and trying to get to the promised land. I’m hoping to win it all. With the Tall Blacks, if it happens, it happens.”

Iti arrives at the Sharks with some pretty rich credentials. During his collegiate career in the United States he matched up against many players, who have gone on to play in the NBA, and ESPN labelled him the eighth best recruit in the nation in his year at high school, at Mount Zion Christian Academy, in North Carolina

“It was kind of nice to be there right behind (now NBA All Star) LeBron James.”

Iti was widely regarded in the US for his powerful shot-blocking ability and should also provide the Sharks with a dominant inside presence and plenty of rebounds. He has not been known for his scoring ability throughout his career, but said that was something he wanted to change with the Sharks.

“I want to try and be more of a scorer this year. I can score, when I want to. I need to be more accurate and be the go to guy.”

Some sceptics have said the Sharks will find the going tough in their debut season, but Iti had some stern words for the doubters.