Giants release import Henderson

Less than two weeks out from their first games of the 2024 NBL1 West season, the Northern Star Resources Goldfields Giants have made an important roster change with the release of American men’s import Ethan Henderson from his playing contract.

Henderson, who arrived in Kalgoorlie-Boulder last week, was one of two restricted players recruited by the Giants to suit up for their NBL1 Men’s program this season.

However, the call was made to switch up their restricted player focus by Giants’ men’s head coach Matt Van Pelt and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association’s Goldfields Giants hierarchy.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association president Robert Tagliaferri spoke of the change of direction with restricted players for the men’s program.

“Once Ethan arrived in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, it became evident that he didn’t fit exactly what we needed in regard to our team needs from a restricted player in the time frame that we required,” he said.

“His conditioning was not at the calibre that we required for our NBL1 program, and although he would have complimented our men’s team once there, we feel this would have taken some time to reach.

“As a restricted player and a focal point of this team, we felt we needed to act now to give ourselves the best chance for season 2024.

“We wish Ethan all the best and hope he continues his basketball career, learning from this experience to develop himself into a highly required player.”

The club will be making an announcement in the coming days of Henderson’s replacement, who will be joining new import Randy Bell who arrived in the region on Sunday evening and took part in his first practise session on Monday evening. The Giants’ opening games of the 2024 NBL1 season will be taking place on the 6th and 7th of April in Perth before their home opener on the 13th of April.