New Hawk: Ringwood Hawks import Skyler Bowlin is ready to fill a role for his new side. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
NEW Ringwood Hawks import Skyler Bowlin might be scared of Australian roads, but he feels a lot more confident about our basketball courts.
Bowlin arrived in Melbourne last week after answering an SOS from Hawks coach Ken Harrington to fill the place of NBL star Daryl Corletto, who has been forced to miss the Big V state championship season because his New Zealand Breakers side made the NBL grand final.
Bowlin joins the Hawks hot on the heels of a season playing professionally in Germany.
Bowlin said he was confident his skills as a combo guard could make a difference to the Hawks, who have a 4-2 record after six games.
"They are playing well right now, so hopefully I can add another dimension to the team and give them another scoring threat," Bowlin said.
Bowlin's role with the Hawks will be determined in his first few games but the import is confident he can be both a provider and another scoring outlet on an already potent Hawks offence.
"In Germany over the past eight months I ran the point the entire time but I'd say I'm comfortable in both guard positions."
Bowlin said he hadn't been planning his visit to Australia but happily took up the offer when contacted in Germany.
"I was in Germany and coach Harrington hit me up [called me] on the internet and asked if I would I be interested in coming out here," he said.
"Of course, any time you can make a little money doing something you love, can't pass that up."
At just 22 years old, Bowlin isn't looking past his season with the Hawks but he is aware that a good performance at Big V level could help him secure a future job at SEABL or even NBL level.
Off court, he hopes to do a little coaching and work off his fear of driving on the left side of the road.
"I'm a little scared when I get in the car," he said. "You can be sure I won't be getting behind the wheel here. I think I will stay in the passenger seat."
■ Bowlin was leading scorer in both the Hawks games over the weekend although they lost both with defeats to Eltham on Saturday night 95-73 and Diamond Valley on Sunday 76-73.
The Hawks Big V women split their weekend double losing to Eltham on Saturday night 64-58 then beating Diamond Valley on Sunday 61-59.
Both Hawks sides face Sherbrooke this weekend with the women's sides playing on Saturday night and the men's teams playing on Sunday.