Journeyman ready for Slam dunk season

Power and speed have been added to the Printsync South West Slammers list with former NBA D-League centre Justin Reynolds signing on as the team’s second import.

The 209cm, 107kg American professional basketballer is set to arrive in the country later this month as the Slammers search for their first men’s State Basketball League championship since 1999.

Reynolds, 29, attended Texas A&M–Corpus Christi where he averaged 10 points, 6.2 rebounds, one assist, 0.8 blocks and one steal in five seasons, ending in the college’s top 10 all-time in scoring, rebounds, blocks and steals.

From here Reynolds played in professional leagues in Macedonia, Japan, France and Indonesia, before being selected by the Texas Legends in the fourth round of the 2015 NBA Development League Draft.

A season-ending injury cost Reynolds more time at the Legends.

Last year he played for Levanga Hokkaido in the Japan Basketball League and has now decided to play in Australia for the first time.

Slammers coach Carl Catalano said he was excited to have a player of Reynolds’ calibre.

“He will stretch the floor on the offensive end and defend a few positions,” he said.

“His numbers have been good in the various leads.

“Any guy who plays in the NBA D-League is going to bring that experience.”

Catalano said the team was shaping up well, with the likes of Clive Weeden, Travis Durnin and Brody England having strong pre-seasons.

The recently-appointed coach said Albany basketballer Matt Leary had been “training the house down”.

“He is going to be handy coming off the bench this year,” he said.

“Matt has some things he wants to achieve this year.”

Catalano said he also had high hopes for Durnin, who was playing well in the Bunbury Basketball Association.

“He would have played 80 to 90 games by the end of this year, so he is looking to step up,” he said.

“We have spoken to Trav about there being a starting position available if he wants it.

“We have challenged him to not only put points on the board, but to be a better rebounder and play consistently.

“For the last two years he has been travelling in and out of Pinjarra, but he is living and working here now, which gives him a bit of stability.

“We want these kids to be able to have those opportunities, but at the same time we expect them to be ready for those opportunities when they come along.”

The Slammers start their season on Sunday, March 18 when they play away against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.