Te Rangi, Kelly Connection Strong

Reuben Te Rangi may be plying his trade in New Zealand during the NBL off-season, but that doesn’t mean South East Melbourne head coach Mike Kelly isn’t watching.

Te Rangi is currently averaging just under 20 points per game for the ladder-leading Auckland Tuatara.

Under the tutelage of new Perth assistant Aaron Young, Te Rangi, Rob Loe, Cam Gliddon, Jarrad Weeks and the rest of the Auckland side have powered to an 11-3 record.

“I haven’t had much to do with Mike Kelly, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about him,” Te Rangi told SE Melbourne Media.

“Mike messages me after every game and just says he’s watched the game and tells me what I did well and what I need to work on.

“He’s keeping he communication lines open, and Mike’s talked to me about what he wants to achieve on the defensive end.

“A lot of that resonates with how we play in New Zealand at the moment. As a player I hang my hat on the defensive end so a lot of that will come pretty easily.”

Te Rangi – along with teammates Loe, Gliddon and Weeks – is one of a number of NBL23 talents that has taken over the NZNBL.

The second-placed Otago Nuggets can call on Perth duo Michael Harris and Jack Andrew, along with uncontracted Breaker Sam Timmins, while the third-placed Franklin Bulls are being led by New Zealand’s Dan Fotu and Brisbane’s Tyrell Harrison.

“Things are going well in New Zealand,” Te Rangi continued. “The selling point for me was being able to come back home, see my family every week and hang out with friends when I an.

“But also on the basketball side of things I have a lot of support people that I can work with and train with, so it’s been fun.

“We’re playing some good basketball at the moment and everything’s starting to click.

“I’ve been learning a lot from the talent we have and the experience we have. I’ve been learning a lot that I think I can translate into the NBL season.”

South East Melbourne will open its NBL24 campaign against Melbourne United on Thursday, September 28.