Supercats signing to make big impact in NBL1 Finals push

GEELONG United Supercats will receive a much-needed boost to its frontcourt after the club announced the arrival of 205cm centre Matt McCarthy.

The 26-year-old Melbournian played his junior basketball with Hawthorn Magic and Waverley Falcons.

McCarthy was also a Vic Metro representative regular and said he had been on Supercats’ 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.

“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.”

McCarthy’s late NBL1 signing comes after his Estonian stint with club BC Parnu Sadam in the Latvian-Estonian competition.

McCarthy boasts playing experience in the Netherlands, Romania, and Portugal, and previous NBL1 experience with NBL1 North side Rockhampton, following his graduation from the University of San Francisco.

Wallace is hopeful McCarthy is the missing piece in the puzzle as his side sits precariously in the standings, with the push for playoffs fast approaching.

“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,” Wallace said.

“Flexibility, depth, another presence around the basket, another scoring option. Without Owen (Odigie) being there, we’ve lacked that third or fourth [scoring option].

“He’s a good head, he can stretch the floor, and we know he’s in shape – he’s just come out of finals.”