Feature image via: Mitchell Barlow
Coming off an All-Star Five season in the NBL1 South, Alice Kunek believes Tanner Krebs is set for a starring role with Melbourne United in NBL25.
After multiple seasons in the NBL1 North with the Gold Coast Rollers, Krebs decided to stay in Victoria and play for the Sandringham Sabres this past season.
Joining fellow United coaches and players, Krebs took on a leading role for Sandringham – averaging 20.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
The stacked Sabres made it all the way to the Preliminary Final, where they lost 101-103 off the back of Tyler Rudolph's heroics.
Opal Alice Kunek explained she was impressed by Krebs’ progression in the NBL pre-season against Brisbane, built off his award-winning season in the South.
She explained that there’s potential for Krebs to take on a much larger role with United this season.
“Prior to this season, I really questioned if he was just gonna be just a three-point shooter in the league,” she said on the NBL Now Roundtable.
“But you can tell he's gone, he's worked, he's stayed in Melbourne in the whole off-season. He's added parts to his game, he's attacking the rim, he's finding his teammates and it's got a little bit of a CG-lite (Chris Goulding) game now.”
Kunek explained she went through this same transition as a player, developing from a shooting wing to an all-around threat on the perimeter.
“The way he was coming off screens last night, and the players were trailing, he was able to get downhill. Players were helping, he was able to dish and find his teammates. That's gonna be what Melbourne United needs during this season,” she said.
“Another player that can just not be a spot-up three-point shooter and adds a bit bigger dimension for them.”
South East Melbourne Phoenix will host United in a throw-down preview on Saturday night at the State Basketball Centre.
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