Dickel Bringing Next Generation of NZ Talent to Vegas with Mainland Eagles

When growing up in the South Island of New Zealand, a city like Las Vegas can seem a world away. In the coming weeks it will seem a whole lot closer for a group of talented basketball players, though. Two teams, both representing the recently established Mainland Eagles Basketball Academy, will travel to the USA to further their basketball development and stake their claims for college scholarships. 

The Mainland Eagles will be led by former UNLV point guard Mark Dickel, while former NCAA coach Caleb Harrison and up-and-coming coach Greg Brockbank will act as his assistants.

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Dickel had a distinguished career with the Runnin’ Rebels, notably leading the nation with nine assists per game as a senior and being named an AP All-American. He remains in third-place all-time for most assists for the Rebels. In 2012 he returned home to Dunedin, New Zealand, after an illustrious career in Europe. Now based out of Christchurch, he returns to Las Vegas with a very good selection of the next generation of talent from the South Island of New Zealand.

Harrison on the other hand has returned to New Zealand to fill the role of Canterbury Rams Development Coach after a decade studying and coaching in the United States, as per his Rams coaching profile. Prior to this he was the women’s basketball head coach at Dickinson State University. Notably, he also acted as an assistant coach on the 2007 Lambuth University National Championship-winning team.

He obtained a master’s degree in sports coaching from Indiana State University and says he is "very passionate about assisting young South Island players to achieve their dream of receiving a scholarship to play U.S. college basketball."

The men’s team will fly out of New Zealand on December 5, remaining in the USA until December 24, while the women’s tour will run from December 29 until January 13.

In this time they will look to give their players as much exposure as possible, having scheduled games nearly every day. Along with that they will train at the Impact Academy, attend UNLV training sessions and games, as well as go to an NBA game in Los Angeles.

The men’s team will play in the famed Tarkanian Classic, while the women will play scheduled pickup games against various high schools in the Las Vegas area.

Brockbank stated that the key purpose was to allow the kids to get a feel for the American system, while also providing them with the chance to be seen by scouts. He feels that the team is talented, although a little undersized. That is probably a fair assessment too. The boys in particular boast a roster of outstanding guards, all quick, skilful and intense, but may struggle for size.

The Canterbury Regional Basketball Foundation established the Mainland Eagles Academy earlier in 2014. Its goal is to help as many young South Island basketball players get to college as possible. Dickel, along with Harrison and Brockbank, has been instrumental in the Academy being up and operating successfully in a short period of time.

Dickel says he "personally understands how basketball offers these kids a unique opportunity." By getting a college scholarship, they are able to get an education while also playing the game they love and "receiving a unique life experience."

He believes that the Mainland Eagles Academy can assist them to achieve their aspirations. To do this he explains they will provide "regular camps throughout the year, continual monitoring of the player’s basketball and academic progress and then take up to four teams on an annual Las Vegas tour."

While this year’s tour will see just two teams travel, it is hoped that in the future an Under-16 team will travel, along with an Under-18 one for each of the boys and girls.

The focus of the academy is on high school players, identifying the talent early and putting them on a long-term development programme to enable them to achieve their goals.

Harrison believes there is "significant talent in the South Island and with the right development programme in place, the selection of the teams going forward will create significant headaches for Dickel and himself."

The end goal will be a "steady stream of Mainland Eagle Alumni heading off to successful U.S college careers."

With basketball in New Zealand enjoying a boom in popularity, this endeavour should only add to the recent success seen by the likes of Steven Adams, Isaac Fotu, Rob Loe and Tai Webster.

There is some real talent on the 2014 roster, and the experience this tour will be of tremendous significance to making the transition should they look to play in the USA. They will be the first of many Eagles to follow for years to come.

Men’s Roster: Joe Cook-Green, Richard Rodger, Taylor Britt, Josh Petermann, Shou Nisbet, Benoit Hayman, Matt Dukes, Jordan Hibbard, Nigel Goulstone, Jamie Macdonald, Hamish Robertson, Jackson Stent.

Women’s Roster: Aleisha Ruske, Tessa Morrison, Nicole Ruske, Claudia Flaws, Zoe Richards, Brittany Richards, Georgia Te Au, Tayla Macdonald, Laura Taylor, Jane Hendry.

Follow the above link for individual player profiles for the men's Tarkanian Classic team. 

All quotes and information obtained from Dickel, Harrison and Brockbank on a first-hand basis unless otherwise stated.