Sweet Caroline: United sign American big Jordan Caroline
Jordan Caroline has joined Melbourne United on a one-year deal.
Melbourne United have welcomed their third and final import with the arrival of American power forward Jordan Caroline to a one-year deal.
Caroline spent his successful NCAA career with Southern Illinois and Nevada, which saw him break NBA champion and current Sydney Kings owner Andrew Bogut’s conference double-double record.
He has spent his professional career playing in the G-League, Israel, Taiwan and most recently Italy.
The six foot seven (around 200cm) power forward/centre has made his career off rebounding and defending, while also having the capability to step outside the arch and hit the three.
Caroline is eagerly looking forward to the season as he is anticipating the opportunity to hit the court and achieve the goals he’s set for himself at United.
“Being on a team that’s used to having a lot of success excites me a lot because above all else I pride myself on being a winner,” he said.
“When you’re playing with a talented group of guys with high expectations it makes you be the best that you can be for the team every day… I think we’ve got the talent to make these expectations become reality.”
Caroline averaged 11 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A last year for Dolomiti Energia Trento.
United Head Coach Dean Vickerman believes the addition of Caroline will go a long way in making them championship contenders.
“Talking to the people who have coached him and who are around him, his hustle and intensity is the first thing they mention,” Vickerman said.
“The competitiveness that he plays at, the winning plays he’s willing to make, he’s absolutely fearless and more often than not he’s being rewarded for that effort.”
Caroline will be replacing outgoing Boomer Jack White as he has signed a Two-Way contract with the Denver Nuggets. Vickerman says that he can have a similar impact to White.
“Replacing Jack White was a major challenge of the offseason. Everything he brings to the court, his rebounding, his pace, his athleticism. It all makes for a challenge recruitment, however when we saw Jordan play he just stood out in all those aspects.”
“We’re bringing in a guy in his prime who has been a big time player in college, but has also four years of strong pro experience. He’s got the ability to slide in and play some small-ball five for us so he really helps our versatility.”
Caroline joins United’s roster that currently has Shea Ili, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Rayjon Tucker, Zac Tripplet (DP), Josh Duach (DP), Chris Goulding, Brad Newley, Mason Peatling, David Okwera, Ariel Hukporti (NS) and Isaac Humphries under contract.
Melbourne are currently looking to complete their roster with a local.
They start their season on October 2nd when they play the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena.