Be ready for your moment. They are the five words that have stuck with a Taipans star ‘destined to be elite’ throughout his first campaign in the NBL.
BE ready for your moment.
They are the five words that have stuck with Taipans sharpshooter Jonah Antonio throughout his first campaign in the NBL.
The Snakes snared the prized signature of the highly-sought Australian talent this off-season, with the Perth native singing a three-year deal (third year option) with the Far North NBL club.
Nicknamed Quick Six for his tendency to land big-time triples in quick succession, Antonio brought a sniper-like reputation to the league when he first landed back in Australia after eight years abroad.
Used primarily off the bench in his rookie NBL campaign, Antonio has shown glimpses of the sniper who coach Adam Forde believes is “destined to be elite”.
And being part of this group, which has made a habit of proving doubters wrong as they turned pre-season wooden spoon predictions into a NBL play-offs berth, has been the icing on the cake.
“It’s been really good,” Antonio said.
“Being coached by Fordey and the coaching staff here, they have built a hardworking, winning culture. It’s been a good experience.
“It’s also been good we’re going against what everyone said, everyone picked us last, all the media guys in the NBL, so it’s good to prove everything wrong.”
Antonio is a guy who has chased every opportunity to achieve his professional dream.
He bounced between several colleges in the United States, not because of anything bad but because he developed his skills and sought a higher level of competition.
He played his first professional season in the Czech Republic, turning down Forde’s first attempt to sign the shooting guard purely because of a dream to play in Europe.
Forde’s second overture wasn’t as easy to turn down, which is how Antonio found himself enjoying the hot, humid summer of Tropical North Queensland.
And Forde has liked what he’s seen from Antonio.
There’s no rush with the 25-year-old, who is in the first of a potentially three-year stay in Cairns and is on a learning and development pathway.
“Jonah’s been great, he’s the ultimate professional,” Forde said.
“He understands there’s a learning curve, not just for basketball but as a professional.
“He’s still one of the best marksmen in the league that everything else that comes with being a professional – looking after the body, doing the extras, he’s an absolute gym junkie doing the extras.
“He’s destined to be elite.
“He’s doing all the right things to get him in the best position of his career, it’s just a privilege that he’s here and we can help him in his journey.”
While Antonio can shoot, it is on the defensive end that he’s found the most growth this season.
Players like star import Tahjere McCall, the closest thing this team has to a “captain”, and reigning Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol, have played key roles in that improvement.
But it’s all about staying ready for the 194cm, 88kg former University of Nevada, Las Vegas guard.
“Being around players like Tahj and Bul defensively, trying to build my game in that area,” he said.
“We’re one of the best defensive teams in the league. Fordey’s principles and the way he coaches defence, I think that’s a part of my game that’s developed this season.
“(The best advice is) just be ready. Be a professional, be ready for your moment, your opportunity and be mentally locked in.
“A lot of basketball is a mental game, there’s a lot of highs and lows you have to ride, so trying to stay in the middle is the best advice given to me this season.”
Antonio hasn’t lost too much sleep over his lack of minutes, particularly in recent times, as the Taipans push for a top two finish and the guaranteed semi finals spot which comes with it.
And even if he doesn’t get much court time over their remaining four regular season games and then the post-season, Antonio is happy doing whatever he can to help the Snakes break through for a maiden championship.
“The rest of the season is to do everything I can to help my teammates win,” he said.
“Whatever they need, whatever I can do for them.
“Whether it’s at practice, rebounding for them, just being their for my teammates and being there to support, and hopefully we can win that championship for Cairns.”
The Taipans return to action on Wednesday when they travel to South East Melbourne Phoenix, and are back at home on Saturday, January 28, for a clash with the Bullets.
And Antonio will be ready if his number is called.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as The Taipans gun ‘destined to be elite’, on his first season in Cairns
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