Posted on 20 March, 2019

The Kilsyth Cobras have bolstered their frontcourt with the addition of Melbourne United forward/centre Tohi Smith-Milner for the 2019 NBL1 season.

Smith-Milner gives the Cobras a physical, skilful low post presence, possessing the ability to both bang down in the low post and stretch the floor with his impressive perimeter shooting. Smith-Milner spent the 2019 NBL season as a member of Melbourne United, helping United advance to the NBL Finals before falling to the Perth Wildcats in four games. The Auckland, New Zealand native spent 2018 in the New Zealand NBL, where he averaged 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a member of the Nelson Giants, playing alongside Kilsyth junior, Kyle Adnam.

A member of the New Zealand Men’s national team – known as the ‘Tall Blacks’ – Smith-Milner’s international experience is set to give the Cobras frontcourt rotation a significant boost. The 6’9 Smith-Milner won Bronze with the Tall Blacks at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and starred during the team’s FIBA Asia Cup campaign in 2017, averaging 10.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game to help the Tall Blacks to a fourth-place finish.

Smith-Milner’s ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting promises to compliment fellow big-man Chris Patton, with the pair each possessing the ability to mix it up down low and from the outside. Coupled with 2018 All-SEABL guards, Isaac Turner and Peter Hooley, and young-gun Ben Ursich, the Cobras appear set to make some serious noise in their debut season in the NBL1.

Smith-Milner and the Cobra Men make their NBL1 debut on Saturday March 30, when they take on heated rivals, the Knox Raiders, on the road in the Game 1 of the Battle for the Ashes. The Cobras make their home debut the following day, when they play host to the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence on Sunday afternoon (12pm/2pm).

Key partnership opportunities with Kilsyth Basketball and the NBL1 Cobras are now available, offering the chance to partner with one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious basketball associations while receiving exposure on a national level.

For more information about current partnership opportunities, please contact Amanda Dean on Amanda.Dean@kilsythbasketball.com.au or give us a call at (03) 9728 1033.