Sunbury Jets import Ish Sanders always planned to play basketball in Australia; it was a matter of finding the right time.
He met Jets’ men’s coach Andrew Summerville while still in college in the US and the two had kept in touch.
It all came together late last year when Sanders, formerly of Carson-Newman University, Tennessee, signed with the Jets as one of their two imports.
“I was supposed to come to Australia after college,” Sanders said.
“In sophomore year, Andrew came and spoke about playing basketball overseas and the good and bad things about it.
“We lost contact when I graduated but got back in touch and the timing was right.”
Sanders has fitted straight into the Jets and the Sunbury community.
“I’d sort of been bouncing around Europe playing basketball and I wanted to go play somewhere I’d be comfortable,” he says.
“Everyone has been welcoming, to say the least. It feels sort of like home.”
Described by his coach as a scoring machine when his signing was announced, Sanders has proved to be just that.
He averages 30 points across the first six games, sitting second in the division 1 competition.
Last weekend he had 39 and 48 points in successive days.
For the man himself, it’s not all about scoring.
“Scoring has never been a problem,” he says. “I look to help the team and do whatever we need to do to win.
“Sometimes I need to be the one scoring, and credit to Andrew for putting me in the right spots and my teammates for getting me the ball. They find me and are very unselfish.”
Sanders says that despite a tough start to the season for the Jets, he’s relishing the responsibility of leading a young team.
“Honestly, it can be challenging at times, but I’m never one to step into anything that’s easy.
“I don’t want to just come along for the ride. I’m trying to lead these guys and they couldn’t be a nicer group of players.
“There will be mistakes, but it’s an exciting team and it’s been fun.”
As well as leading the side, Sanders has no problem with being the oppositions sides’ number one target.
“Having more attention on me makes it fun,” he says.
“Everyone in the league wants to target me and shut me down.
“It’s not always a bad thing as it takes the pressure off the young guys and I can handle it.”
On Saturday night, the Jets lost to Blackburn 87-78.
Losing the first three quarters, the Jets fought back in the last, scoring 32-11, but were too far behind to close the gap. Sanders top scored with 25 points, with Kade Marra scoring 14.
