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Sixers' Chappell steps upArticle from: Font size: Decrease Increase Email article: Email Print article: Print Submit comment: Submit comment BOTI NAGY, BASKETBALL WRITER
August 03, 2007 02:15am
MIKE Chappell felt as if Christmas had arrived early when his agent told him the Adelaide 36ers had come calling.



One of the finest imports to play in the NBL, he had never been in a program which properly suited or showcased his silky skills, breath-taking athleticism or commitment to winning.

Fresh from a season in Japan with the Sendai 89ers where he was an AllStar averaging 23 points per game and eight rebounds in the BJ (Japanese) League, finally the right NBL club was on the line.

"I was excited when my agent told me they'd been in contact because I thought the 36ers would be a good fit for me," Chappell said yesterday when he arrived from Detroit with wife Maisha and two-year-old son Isaiah.

"The 36ers have always been a club rich in basketball tradition and I've always enjoyed the way they play the game. In the times I've spent here (in Australia), they're always a top-four side and always find a way to get there.

"The style they play under (coach) Phil (Smyth) always looks like they're having fun along the way too."

Well yes, that used to be the case. But last season's 11th-placed finish was a record club low, anything but fun and meant some very dramatic changes were in order.

Out went most of the team, with Brett Maher, David Cooper, Lanard Copeland, Matt Sutton and Darren Ng retained while Brad Newley, Brad Davidson, Axel Dench, Adam Ballinger and Chappell brought in.

Ballinger and Chappell were college team-mates at storied Michigan State University.

"I'm looking forward to catching up with Adam," Chappell said. "We've never played on the same team since college, although we've played against each other when I was with Canberra and he was at Victoria."

Chappell, 29 and a 203cm small forward, already has chalked up 88 NBL games with the Cannons, Wollongong Hawks and New Zealand Breakers since 2002, averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

Since last suiting with the Breakers in 2005 - where he was club MVP in 2004 - he has played in Portugal, Lebanon and Japan.

His arrival means the Sixers finally will have a foil for star small forwards such as Sam Mackinnon (Brisbane), Martin Cattalini (Cairns), and Glen Saville (Sydney) who, along with departed Breakers import Carlos Powell, in 2007 consistently exposed Adelaide's deficiency in that area.

On a one-year deal, Chappell - pronounced Shap-pell - said he had "the highest respect for Phil Smyth and Brett Maher."

Smyth spoke with his former longtime Canberra Cannons team-mate, Hall of Famer Herb McEachin, before signing Chappell.

"Herb's only ever recommended one other player to me and that was Darnell Mee," Smyth said. "When he recommended Mike, I knew he was the right man for us.

"And that's without taking into account the fact he's very talented, versatile and all the other tangibles he brings."

Adelaide opens its season against Wollongong on September 21 but will only know if Newley is staying after he fields European offers.