Basketball New Zealand

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Incoming Rams import John Whorton (Photosport)

Needing an interior threat, the Marley Canterbury Rams turned to former American import John Whorton for help.

Rams assistant coach Terry Brunel had intended to quiz Whorton – aka The Pope – who played in Canterbury for parts of three seasons from 2001-03, about other players for a half-season stint in Christchurch.

“Fortunately he was available when I called him,” said Brunel.

“I actually called him to see if there was anyone playing in Europe that he knew that would be suitable for our League.

“We felt we needed an inside presence and we’ve known that for a while.

“Hopefully with a player of his caliber we can have an inside presence and he can free up some of our guards for better shots.”

Whorton has signed with the Rams for their final 10 games of the Dominion Finance NBL, replacing Haitian Wilder Auguste, and arrived in New Zealand earlier this week after finishing out his contract with German Bundesliga club Frier.

“Wilder was a good player and he did some good things for us but we needed to get someone who could guard the legit big guys in the League.”

Whorton made a big impact during his first stint in the NBL, averaging 24.8 points, 13.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 42 career games.

The 2.08m centre won the rebounding title in 2002 and 2003, and was named outstanding forward and an All-Star Five selection in 2002. He finished third equal in the scoring race with 22.7 points per game, second in field goal percentage (59.7) and rebounds (12.4) in his first season in 2001.

His last season, 2003, was statistically his best, averaging 29.3 points and 16.5 rebounds per contest in 10 games, including a 50-point game against the Bay Hawks.

Whorton will team with Canterbury’s other import, Joey Harrell, Tall Black hopeful Jeremy Kench and the rest of the Rams squad for his first game on Saturday night against the CPS Nelson Giants at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson.