Feature image via: Madeleine Clark
Michael Dupree was a revelation for the Goldfields Giants last season. The import guard took home the club MVP in what was his first season overseas. This season he’s back with the Willeton Tigers and as dangerous as ever, but his role at the Tigers has been ever so slightly tweaked.
While Dupree has nothing but positive things to say about his time in Kalgoorlie last season, the Giants struggled despite his best efforts -- finishing 11th with a 7-15 record.
He’s headed to the Tigers this season and made them even better. He’s led last season’s third-place finishers to a 7-1 record to open the season to be a part of the breakaway group forming at the top of the standings.
He’s still averaging over 20 points per game this season, but Dupree told Fast Break Radio he’s learning how to be more effective in fewer minutes on the court given he is sharing the backcourt with Marshall Nelson, Damien Scott, Andrew Black and Roosevelt Williams.
“I feel what I’m learning a lot on this team is we have a lot of scorers, a lot of threats, and we have a deep bench, so I’m realising more and more how to be more effective in spurts,” Dupree said.
“With this team, I don’t have to play heavy minutes all the time. We have such a young core that is really hungry and can go out there and produce some really good minutes.
“It’s just been learning how to be effective in the minutes I have and not be so dependent on heavy minutes.”
The Tigers will clash with loval rivals Lakeside in the upcoming Pink Round in the NBL1 West, in what could potentially be a bounce back game for both sides.
Both the best and worst of Willeton were on display in last week’s nailbiter against Cockburn. First, they surged to a 20-point lead before Rhys Vague inspired the Cougars to take the lead in the final minutes.
Willeton held firm late though to register a three-point win and keep the good times rolling.
Dupree ended the 99-97 victory with 20 points and three steals, and says the manner of the victory resembled a post-season clash, rather than a game not even two months into the campaign.
“It was one of those gut wins, we had them at the beginning, I wasn’t to say we got as far out as 20 points and Rhys caught fire,” Dupree reflected.
“He couldn’t miss, and it started becoming videogame-like for a minute.
“We got down six with three minutes left and we just called a timeout and they made their run, so it was our time. We got it back together from that point to win, and I think that right there was more of a playoff type of win.”
Willeton’s clash with Lakeside will tip off at 7:30pm AWST on Saturday, May 11 live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
