The Auckland Huskies will play the bulk of their home National Basketball League games at the “Home of the Huskies”, Eventfinda Stadium, with their first Sal’s NBL outing scheduled on April 30th against Manawatu Jets.
The last major game played at Eventfinda was back in February 2018, the last occasion the Breakers played a fixture on the Shore. For Huskies Head Coach Aaron Young, a former Rangitoto College student, it’s a double homecoming.
“I was on the Breakers coaching staff back in 2018 and can well remember the outstanding atmosphere that was created playing games at the spiritual home of the club. Players and fans enjoyed the vibe and intimate atmosphere.
“Shore basketball fans have been starved of high quality games to watch and we believe the Huskies will play a brand of basketball they will enjoy watching."
Young also believes fans will get a huge surprise when they attend Huskies games at Eventfinda. “The facilities at Eventfinda have been transformed in the last couple of years; I think fans will be impressed with what they see and experience,” said Young.
A recent announcement from the NBL will ensure the talent on the court matches the recently renovated stadium.
The NBL gained the tick of approval from Immigration New Zealand, granting 18 players entry into the country on critical work visas ahead of the season opener in late April.
Included in the import quota is the Huskies very own Armoni Brooks who is currently playing the NBA G League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He will finish the season with the Vipers, who are playing out of a single location at Walt Disney World in Florida, before he heads to Auckland’s North Shore for the next four months.
Brooks, the first overseas player signed by the Auckland Huskies, is looking forward to linking up with the Huskies.
“It will hopefully give me an opportunity to be in more of lead role where I can grow as a player that’s relied upon to produce efficiently, lead, and defend at a high level.”
Asked what type of player Huskies fans would get to witness Armoni’s reply was short and to the point.
“I’m going to be an energetic and unselfish player. Willing to give everything to win each and every game.”
“I know that New Zealand is a great country with even better people," he adds. "There’s a ton of things to do and to explore and I can’t wait to embrace the city of Auckland and really get a chance to experience the culture.”
The Huskies begin their 2021 NBL campaign with a trip down the southern motorway on Sunday April 25th to take on the Franklin Bulls in the first Battle of the North of the season. They then return home for their season opener on the 30th.
You can purchase your Auckland Huskies season memberships now from www.aucklandhuskies.co.nz
