Nuggets priority, then US

Otago Nuggets forward Akiva McBirney-Griffin shoots at the Edgar Centre yesterday. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

Growing as a person and a player, sure.

But also in the literal sense — he is now 2.06m, or 6ft 9in.

It is certainly an added bonus for the Otago Nuggets 18-year-old forward.

His time in Dunedin is quickly coming to an end.

Tomorrow’s game against the Southland Sharks in Invercargill will be one of his last in a Nuggets uniform — for the near future at least.

Next month, he heads to the United States to play for the University of California Irvine in NCAA division one basketball.

It is a move that has been five years in the making and the Nuggets have played a big part in that.

His time in last year’s champion team helped propel him on to the college recruiting radar: he ended up receiving eight scholarship offers.

This year has acted as a stepping stone for his move to the college, which is based in the Greater Los Angeles area.

It is his first time living away from his Hamilton home and he has learnt plenty off the court.

On the court he has learnt much as well, particularly from import forward Geremy McKay.

Notably, he has been working on his outside shot.

That will help complement his mobility and high skill level to fit the modern-day stretch four role.

He has played a bigger role this year, playing nearly 15 minutes per game, while averaging 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.

"I’ve felt more comfortable, I had that one year under my belt," he said.

"The game just slows down that little bit more, you just get more looks, you see more things you don’t usually do.

"I work very hard. I came down here two months early and just focusing on my jump shot.

"Now, I’ve got all my technique and form under there it’s just about building my confidence."

He is expecting to add to that in the United States.

The game was played differently there and he hoped to learn as much as possible, while also possibly teaching his American team-mates a few things.

"I’m excited, but for me it’s just another step.

"It’s obviously something to be happy about, but I’m just ready to get there.

"There’s another journey that starts when I get there.

"It’s just a stepping stone to the next level which is eventually a pro."

A big game looms prior to that, as the Nuggets travel for the return Southern derby.

It is one with significant playoff implications — the Nuggets’ upset win over Hawke’s Bay and the Sharks’ recent slide has seen to that.

The Sharks are on 11 wins with two games left, while the Nuggets are on nine with three games left.

If they both end up on 11 wins, the Nuggets will have to win by at least eight points tomorrow.

That is a result of the Nuggets mounting a late comeback to crucially close the deficit to seven in a loss at the Edgar Centre last month.

However, the Auckland Huskies, who are on 10 wins and have two games left, could also come into the equation.

If a three-way tie on 11 wins eventuates, the Nuggets would need to win tomorrow by at least 25 points.

They need to win tomorrow for any of that to be relevant.

Tip-off is at 7.30pm.