GAME CENTRE
THE McDonald’s Newcastle Falcons have cast their recruitment net across the Tasman to land New Zealand NBL representative Francis Wi Neera-Mulvihill for the 2024 NBL1 East season.
The 24-year-old, 190cm guard has played the past four years in the NZNBL, representing Wellington Saints (2022-23) and Taranaki Airs (2020-21), and has also enjoyed the experience of playing in the Ireland Super League.
The son of 1986 Tall Blacks representative Frank Mulvihill, and better known as “FJ”, Wi Neera-Mulvihill will add another dimension to Newcastle’s back-court rotation alongside fellow ball-handlers Jaidyn Goodwin and Kobe Shannon.
“I was interested in playing NBL1 as I’ve been playing in the NZNBL for the past four years and wanted a change of scenery,” Wi Neera-Mulvihill said.
“I’d heard a lot of positive things about this league, and it seemed like there was more opportunities in Aussie to fully showcase what I can do, so when my agent told me about Newcastle, I jumped at the chance.
“Anyone I’ve spoken to about Newcastle has only told me great things about it. From the outside looking in it seems to be a nice coastal city, which is lucky for me because I love the water and I’m keen to get exploring in my spare time.
“I’ve heard that Newcastle was one of the founding clubs of the NBL back in the day, which is cool. Apart from that I don’t know a lot about the basketball culture over there but I’m looking forward to learning about it.”
Falcons coach Josh Morgan has been studying video of the team’s latest recruit and is excited about seeing him in action at training when he arrives in Newcastle later this week.
“I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Francis face-to-face as yet, but he seems like another really good fellow,” Morgan said.
“He had some limited opportunities in Wellington behind some good guards (including Illawarra NBL guard Kyle Adnam) and he is seeking an opportunity to spread his wings a bit.
“He’s another guy with good size, is aggressive at both ends of the floor, and likes to get all his teammates involved.
“What I love most, in the games we’ve watched, is as soon as his team scores he is hunting down his player to go and guard him, and I think he will fit in nicely with attributes like that.
“Francis will round out our squad, and it should make for super competitive practice sessions.”
A Porirua junior, Wi Neera-Mulvihill prides himself on his work ethic and wants to contribute to a winning Newcastle team.
“I’m excited to get going, because from what I’ve been told, we have a good core group of guys and I think I’m going to fit in nicely,” Wi Neera-Mulvihill said.
“I always hold myself to a high standard, and personally I just want to show that I can hoop and excel at this level. At the end of the day, winning validates everything and that’s what I’m coming over there to do.”
Graphic: Sproule Sports Focus
