Josh Kooiman is back.
The Kiwi sharpshooter lit up the Swamp in his debut season for the Shepparton Gators.
At 20, the first-time semi-pro started at shooting guard for the Gators.
The epitome of a ‘‘three and d’’ player, Kooiman shot 38 per cent from the three-point line on a stunning seven-and-a-half attempts a game while regularly picking up the opposition’s best perimeter player on the defensive end.
He took the Gators to a trophy last season, putting up 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the 2023 Big V division one grand final win against RMIT in August.
But he believes he’s got much more to offer.
“Definitely have a lot more to my game than just that,” Kooiman said.
“I’ve got a lot more playmaking to show.”
He started alongside captain Matt Bartlett in the backcourt last season, who remained a steady force from the three-point line and a phenomenal passer.
With Bartlett likely to come off the bench this season, the door has opened for Kooiman to take the reins of the offence and orchestrate the Gators’ attack.
And it’s a good thing too, because with Shepparton being promoted to Big V’s top division, the championship, they’re going to need him.
There was much deliberation in the off-season within the club about whether it would make the jump up to the next level.
Financial constraints and issues with capacity at Shepparton Sports Stadium made it a daunting decision.
For Kooiman though, staying down wasn’t an option.
“We would be doing a disservice to the fans, leagues and players,” he said.
“I mean, we won the grand final by 15 points.
“We were 15 points better than the next best team.
“And if you look at the teams that have gone up, they’ve done pretty good.
“I’m confident we can compete, and we want to compete at that next level.”
Kooiman said he was excited to return to Shepparton and felt like one of the local boys now.
A new crop of imports have arrived, including a familiar face for the Shepparton faithful and Kooiman.
In 2022, New Zealand shooter Dylan Wilkie signed with the Shepparton Gators.
That season, the Gators made it the division one grand final, losing in a heartbreaker.
Wilkie moved on from Shepparton, but not before putting in a good word for one of his compatriots and high school competitors.
Now, after about five years, Wilkie and Kooiman will share the court once more.
“I was hoping he (Wilkie) would sign obviously, but I wasn't sure,” Kooiman said.
“Definitely excited to play with him again, it’s going to be special.”
As always, Kooiman comes across as confident and ready to rock the Swamp.
“We’re not there to make up numbers,” Kooiman said.
“Nobody is marking us down on the calendar as a win automatically.
“Wyndham aren’t doing that, and if they are, they’re going to regret it.”
The Shepparton Gators tip off in the championship for the first time in almost two decades this Saturday night, April 6, at Shepparton Sports Stadium.
The game starts at 7pm and doors open at 6pm.