Tough by nature.
Otago Nuggets back-up Caleb Smiler is not your typical point guard.
The 23-year-old prides himself on his physicality.
He is just as likely to be spotted in the paint with the big boys battling for possession as he is hovering around the fringes looking for a player to set up.
And good luck trying to get the ball off him. He shields it behind his body and barrels his way up court.
He has been a reliable source of energy from the bench since making the move south to join the Nuggets in 2023.
Smiler, who hails from Hamilton, played a season for the Taranaki Airs in 2022 before signing on with the Nuggets — the year after they won the title.
Tonight will mark his 50th appearance in the Nuggets’ singlet. They play the Manawatū Jets in Palmerston North.
It is a milestone that took him completely by surprise.
“Honestly, I had no idea. I knew it must be close, but the games have flown by,’’ he said.
“I’m pretty happy.’’
Smiler, who is a support worker at the Mount Cargill Trust, is one of the few survivors from last season.
Matthew Bardsley, who has played more than 100 games for the franchise, is the other notable returnee.
A new local ownership group took the reins in September last year and has ushered in change.
“It was definitely a big change. But not a bad change, that’s for sure. This new group of guys have been awesome.
“Obviously, there’s me and Bardsley, and I think back to Josh Aitcheson and Darcy Knox. Those were the people I looked up to when I moved to Otago.
“Now I’m kind of that person who’s been in Otago for a little bit now. I’ve got my team-mates coming to ask me about things.
“I’ve kind of got a different role now that I’ve been here for so long. I’m more of a leader.’’
Smiler often does not get much court time. His role on the side is to back up import Alain Louis.
But his playing highlight was in the final game of the season last year. Smiler made just his second appearance in the starting five for the Nuggets and made a strong contribution to the 101-95 win over the Jets in Palmerston North.
He scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and dished seven assists.
“That was the last game of our season. That was our 3-17 season. We were already at the bottom of the table, and we weren’t in the playoffs at all.
“But the fact that we just ended it on the high end, and I was able to impact and start in that game was a pretty big highlight for me.’’
Smiler would love to start more games for the Nuggets and he is ambitious.
“I definitely want to be a Tall Black one day. That’s definitely up there.
“And I want to go play overseas, maybe Australia or Japan or Europe. That’s definitely a goal of mine.
“But I just want to play basketball until my knees or my back give out, and then call it,’’ he chuckled.
He will be putting his back into it tonight.
The Nuggets are locked in a fascinating battle for the final two playoff spots.
A top four of Auckland, Southland, Canterbury and Wellington have cleared out from the rest of the field.
But there are just two wins separating the Nuggets, the Tauranga Whai, the Franklin Bulls, the Taranaki Airs, the Nelson Giants and the Jets.
The Nuggets play the Airs in New Plymouth on Saturday, so it is an important stretch for the team.
NBL
Palmerston North, 7pm
Otago Nuggets: Alain Louis, Buay Tuach, Ethan Rusbatch, Craig Moller, Isaac Miller-Jose, Tyson Thata-Paese, Matthew Bardsley, Zach McKenzie, Caleb Smiler, Oak Chisholm, Toby Hunt, Patrick Tipene.
Manawatū Jets (possible): Tai Webster, Isiah Small, Kaden Sand, Jamal Poplar jun, Kazlo Evans, Christian McDaniel, Lukah Richards, Boston Caldwell, Hamza Zahran, Reuben Leota, Isaac Makoii, Ihaia Abbott.
