Sport + Motorsport
With the 2026 National Basketball League season on the horizon, the Southland Sharks are aggressively building a contender. After a finals berth in 2025 that highlighted their potential but ended in disappointment, Head Coach Jonathan Yim has prioritized retaining anchors and adding proven winners. The result? A roster blending physicality, youth, and championship experience, setting the stage for a title chase in the Shark Tank.
Leading the charge is the re-signing of center Sam Timmins, whose mid-2025 arrival sparked the team's surge. The University of Washington alum, 2022 Nuggets champion, and 18-cap Tall Black averaged 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2 blocks last season. Currently with Chun Lung in Hong Kong, he'll return post-commitment.
“I really enjoyed my time in Invercargill,” Timmins said. “Coming in halfway through last year, the way I was embraced by the team and the fans made it seamless. The way Coach Yim runs his team aligns heavily with how I believe things should be done for a team to build strong culture, have success on the court, and continue to grow as people away from it. We had a great season last year, and it was a no-brainer for me to come back and have a crack at making it one game greater this time around.”
Timmins added: “The Sharks are a great and storied club, and that doesn’t happen without a great organization and fanbase behind it. That kind of support is a real privilege as a player and makes you want to work that much harder. Thank you for the way you welcomed me in last season — I’m pumped to build on it and keep it rolling in 2026.”
Yim emphasized: “Re-signing Sam was a major priority for us this offseason. Sam brings a level of physicality, professionalism, and competitiveness that is hard to find. Beyond what Sam gives us on the stat sheet, he sets the standard for how we want to work and compete every day.”
Timmins focuses on growth: “Consistency comes down to work ethic and attention to detail, and I’ll be looking to lead by example in those areas.”
Back for year two is guard Tukaha Cooper, the Kaikohe product who averaged 10 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal at 42% from three in 2025. His playoff heroics included 16 points in the semis and 14 in the final, leading to an ANBL debut with the Breakers.
“Southland is a great place with great people. It means a lot to me to be able to put on the Sharks uniform again and represent. My decision to come back was pretty easy,” Cooper said.
Yim praised: “Tukaha is one of the best young guards in the New Zealand pipeline. I’m really happy to have Tuks back and to continue watching him grow. With another offseason under his belt, he’s well positioned for another leap.”
Newcomer Tobias Cameron adds edge from the Franklin Bulls. Averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists with Cheshire Phoenix in the UK, the two-game Tall Black will join after his season.
“We’re excited to welcome Tobias,” Yim said. “What stood out to me last season was how hard Tobias plays and how competitive he is.”
Cameron noted: “It felt like the right fit—the right group of people to surround myself with as I chase success both personally and collectively. Southland will get everything I have to offer—toughness, one-percenters, and plenty of laughs.”
Yim added: “To get a player like Tobias to commit to us this season is a huge win—not just for our team, but for the wider community.”
Finally, forward Max Darling brings pedigree from five Rams seasons, including two titles. The Breakers player and 12-cap Tall Black averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists at the 2025 Asia Cup.
“I’m most excited to play for Southland because I hear the fans are great,” Darling said. “This is a young and talented team, and I’m looking forward to bringing some experience and leadership. On the court I’ll bring a lot of energy and defence.”
Yim enthused: “I couldn’t be more excited to be adding Max. His versatility and skill set add real value to what we’re building. He understands what winning environments look like.”
The Sharks open April 10 at home against the Otago Nuggets. With these moves, Southland signals championship intent—watch for fireworks in Invercargill.