This was published 7 years ago
NBL: Melbourne United sign import Lasan Kromah ahead of Cairns Taipans clash
By Roy Ward
Melbourne United will throw new import Lasan Kromah into the fire for their crunch game with Cairns Taipans on Saturday night.
Th 25-year-old will make his debut against Cairns at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Saturday night and could be called upon to play a significant role if injured duo Chris Goulding (ankle) and Todd Blanchfield (concussion) are ruled out.
In doubt: Melbourne United will give Chris Goulding as much time as they can to prove his fitness.Credit: Jack Thomas
Kyle Adnam started in place of Goulding and Owen Odigie n place of Blanchfield in Adelaide and would likely do the same if the duo miss the Taipans game.
Melbourne United will give both stars as much time as they can to prove their fitness after they joined import guard Ramone Moore on the sidelines for the loss to Adelaide 36ers at Adelaide Arena on Thursday night.
The loss to the Sixers saw Melbourne (10-11] drop out of the top four but a loss to Cairns (8-10) would be much more detrimental to their finals hopes as the Taipans are behind Melbourne with three games in hand.
The Melbourne hierarchy moved quickly to sign the former University of Connecticut guard this week after they learned Moore would miss the rest of the season with a calf injury.
United caused surprise around the league that they could sign the import as no new players can be signed once a team has played 75 per cent of their games (21 of 28 games).
But Melbourne signed and registered Kromah with the league on Thursday ahead of their 21st game, the loss to the Sixers, and he has to play all their remaining seven games to be eligible for the NBL finals, should Melbourne make it.
Kromah helped UCONN to the 2014 NCAA championship and has played in the NBA D League, Hungary, Greece and Turkey. Last year he had stints with Kavala in Greece and the Westchester Knicks in the D League.
Kromah is known as an attacking guard who likes to create his own shot – those skills will match what Moore's loss strips from the side with the veteran import coming off the bench and giving the team offensive punch this season.
"I'm feeling good, it was a pretty long plane ride but I'm excited to be here." Kromah said.
"I'm just hoping to bring a lot of positive energy and hard work, and try to do as much as possible to get this team to the furthest goal as we can.
"I'm an all-round player, just [do] what the team needs: scoring, rebounding, defence anything that can contribute something good to the team.
"At the end of the day it's basketball, I've been playing basketball and I know that if I go out there and give my best effort and play the best as I can to my ability it will all go really well."
Melbourne United will wear black South East Melbourne Magic singlets as part of NBL Heritage Round. Tickets for the game are sold out.
Melbourne United host Cairns Taipans at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Saturday at 7.30pm.