Melbourne-raised Matt McCarthy says the prospect of playing close to home was part of the enticement of continuing his basketball career with the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats.
The 205cm centre has just arrived back in Australia after a stint with Estonian club BC Parnu Sadam in the Latvian-Estonian competition, having previously played in the Netherlands, Romania and Portugal and with NBL1 North team Rockhampton after graduating from the University of San Francisco.
The 26-year-old, who played his junior basketball with Hawthorn Magic and Waverley Falcons, and was a regular Vic Metro representative, said he had been on coach Grant Wallace’s radar for some time.
“I looked at the message when I was talking with him on Facebook, and he’s been trying to recruit me for years and years now,” McCarthy said.
“It finally worked out; I wanted to come home and be closer to home now.
“Last year, I was in the (NBL1) North, and after spending time abroad, it’s nicer to be closer to home this season.
“I know a few of the boys from Geelong from years past, so it’s nice to play with guys you know.”
Across all competitions with BC Parnu Sadam, McCarthy made 46 appearances, averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 rebounds.
In the Estonian league, McCarthy, whose family has a holiday home on the Bellarine Peninsula, held his team to a third-place finish.
“It’s a very physical league… a lot of big guys,” he said.
“So many guys 7’3″ (220cm), 7’4” (223cm).
Coach Wallace hopes McCarthy, who will make his Geelong United debut in Saturday night’s matchup with Dandenong, is the missing piece in the puzzle in the push for playoffs.
“It gives us more flexibility to have Ma’alo (Hicks) and George (Blagojevic) on the floor at the same time and have George in the three (spot) and gets DeMarcus (Gatlin) to the two,” he said.
“Flexibility, depth, another presence around the basket, another scoring option.
“Without Owen (Odigie) being there, we’ve lacked that third or fourth (scoring)
“He’s a good head, he can stretch the floor, and we know he’s in shape – he’s just come out of finals.”
Make sure you’re there to see Matt McCarthy in action for the first time on Saturday night. Tickets are selling fast and available now at https://bit.ly/3JspNN5
