Posted on 8 December, 2010
Maden recently capped off a four-year career at Gardner-Webb University located in North Carolina, where he was the back-up Centre for the ‘Runnin’ Bulldogs. Originally from Queensland, he is looking to bring a defensive toughness down low for the Swinburne Cobras, and has intentions of being a dominant defensive force. “I enjoy nothing more than mixing it up down low with an opposing post player and letting the other team know that inside scores won’t come easily against me,” declared Maden.
The new recruit will be reunited with former Gardner-Webb teammate Auryn McMillan, with whom he shared great chemistry during his four-year tenor at College. Maden is eager to get back on the floor with his former teammate saying, “I am very excited and fortunate to have another chance to play with Auryn, we used to joke about playing together after College and when I got the call from the Club extending the invitation, it was an easy decision.”
“Auryn and I worked side by side for four years and we bring out the best in each other. The opportunity to continue competing together is very exciting and we will work to bring the SEABL Title to Kilsyth.”
Swinburne Cobras’ Head Coach, Grant Wallace, is excited by the prospect of having three legitimate bigs on his roster. “Matt’s addition adds further depth and brings in another quality big man who will physically challenge his teammates and opposition alike.”
“We needed to find a player who could back up Tim Lang and Auryn McMillan. A player, who could push and prod them at training and make them better whilst also having the ability to come in off the bench during games and maintain a presence, with Matt Maden we now have three legitimate big bodies that can work together and crash the boards. This will give us great flexibility and depth,” said Wallace.
From what he has seen so far Wallace knows Maden will bring a strong work ethic and passion to the side and basketball community, stating, “He has a great work ethic and an outstanding understanding of the game. The intensity he brings will undoubtedly add to our group! More importantly he is already a wonderful ambassador for our Club and working hard promoting our game within the local community and everyone that deals with him is impressed with his character,” concluded Wallace
Maden has been knuckling down since arriving in October, with the intention of refining his skills in preparation for the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras 2011 SEABL Championship campaign. “I’ve come a long way since arriving in October and I still feel as though, as hard as I have been preparing, I still have many aspects of my game I want to improve on leading into the season.”
Maden will return home to Queensland during the Christmas period before returning to Kilsyth in late January 2011 for the beginning of a pre-season campaign aimed at best preparing the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras for a successful 2011 SEABL season.
The Cobras will begin pre-season training in early February 2011. 2011 Season Membership and Player Sponsorship packages will be available shortly. Stay tuned to www.cobras.net.au for further information.
