STILL battling jetlag after flying in from America, Beau Samuelson is preparing to play his first game with Mandurah Magic tonight after signing to the club for the remainder of the season.
The last time Samuelson played in the State Basketball League was as a 17-year-old for the Rockingham Flames.
Now 21 the point/shooting guard has spent the past three years playing division II college basketball in the United States.
With the US college basketball season concluded for the American summer, Samuelson returned to Australia looking for a club to play for.
“Mandurah was the perfect fit,” Samuelson said. “I was lucky enough that they were looking for a two guard (shooting guard), one guard (point guard) to come in.
“So I will travel down the road (with Samuelson based in Kwinana) and play for the Magic.”
Despite his time away from the SBL and now at a different club it won’t all be unfamiliar for the talented basketballer with several players on the Magic’s list former team-mates.
“I’ve played with the Della brothers (Rhett and Brendan) and Trent (Gerovich) at Rockingham,” he said.
Samuelson’s said his biggest strength were his passing ability and three-point shooting which will be a boost for the Magic.
“The college season ended a while ago so I’m really looking forward to getting out there,” he said.
Despite playing basketball for both Clarion University last year and Mercyhurst University the two previous years Samuelson said the playing styles differed from the US to Australia.
“Games are quicker [at college] and everyone is younger,” Samuelson said. “I’d say Australian basketball has a higher IQ across the board. It is more about the finer things.”
Currently Samuelson is unsure whether he will return to the US to finish his final year of a business management degree or remain in Australia and finish it here.
“I’m just weighing up my options,” he said. “Playing in America has been the best thing I’ve eve done. If anyone ever gets the opportunity I would definitely say take it.”
Samuelson said his at the moment his main goal was to continue improving.
“I’ve always wanted to play professionally so I will continue to work on that,” he said. “I might look at playing in Europe.”
The Magic play Lakeside at 8.30pm on Friday at the Lakeside Recreation Centre and back it up on Saturday against the Goldfield Giants at home at 7.30pm.
