Melton basketball has pulled off a stunning recruiting coup on the eve of the Big V season.
Already the division 1 defending champions, the Thoroughbreds have signed Melbourne United player Chris Patton.
As a back-up centre, Patton averaged six minutes a game for United in the 2015-16 season.
Melton coach Grant Spencer said the club originally began talks with Patton when it thought it was going to be promoted into state championship division.
Although the Big V knocked back its application, Patton was still keen to sign up with the club.
“It’s a great coup for us,” Spencer said.
“We’ve now put together a team that exceeds our wildest dreams to compete at division 1 level.
“To be able to add Chris to that gives us a strong opportunity to go back-to-back this season.”
As well as his NBL achievements, Patton brings a wealth of representative experience to the Thoroughbreds.
The 24-year-old, a former SEABL ‘most valuable player’, has also played US college basketball.
Patton will predominantly be in the centre, but he can also transition to a forward role.
But due to a pre-planned holiday, he may start the season coming off the bench.
“His influence early on may be affected in the first couple of weeks,” Spencer said.
“He probably won’t start for the first little bit of the season. He will play round one then he’s off on an overseas holiday for three weeks. He will play the rest of the season from round five. I think it will be slow and steady.”
The signing of Patton continues Melton’s long-time push to be a leader in Victorian basketball.
Although the club’s application for the state championship division wasn’t approved by the Big V, it says it still wants to plan as though it would be playing in the top grade.
“We were extremely disappointed with the decision the Big V made,” Spencer said.
“The plan, from the board’s point of view, is that they wanted to play state championship.
“They’re investing into the program and investing by bringing in some quality players.”
