WARRNAMBOOL Seahawks American recruit Xavier Johnson-Blount isn’t shy about his ambitions for season 2016.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“I’m hoping definitely for a championship, nothing less,” he said.
“I’m hoping to make a name for myself.”
Johnson-Blount, who turns 25 on Friday, joins the Seahawks having played at Cochise College – a National Collegiate Athletic Association division two school – before progressing to NCAA division one ranks with Montana State.
He also lined up for the Lima Express in the Premier Basketball League, but spent the last year working part-time as a security guard and “getting my body right” to make a big push into the next phase of his career.
Originally from Virginia, Johnson-Blount said this was his first trip outside his home country – other than to Mexico – but he hopes to make it a long-term move.
“(I want to) continue playing basketball and continue playing basketball over here in Australia,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity for me.”
Johnson-Blount said ties with fellow 2016 recruit Nathan Sobey from their Cochise College days had drawn him to Warrnambool.
The city has been quick to leave an impression on Johnson-Blount, who touched down in Australia last week.
“It’s very beautiful and everyone is so nice,” he said.
Seahawks coach Matt Alexander said Johnson-Blount would be able to fill a variety of positions on the court for his newest team.
“He’s versatile. He looks very impressive – he’s very athletic,” Alexander said.
With the start of the season fast approaching, Alexander said the Seahawks would get a better understanding of their group in the coming weeks.
“We’ve got versatile guys who can defend multiple positions and play offence,” he said.
“I think we’re going to be very fast offensively – teams are going to find it hard to stay in front of us – and defensively, we’re going to have some lock-down defenders.”