BENDIGO Braves coach David Hogan is backing centre Matt Andronicos to take his game to another level during the 2020 NBL1 season.
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Andronicos, a SEABL championship player in his debut season with the Braves in 2016, has re-committed to the club for a fifth season.
The former NBL development player produced some of his best stats yet in Braves colours in 2019, helping the club to a grand final appearance against Nunawading Spectres.
Hogan, who is in his second as coach and is a former team-mate of Andronicos, could not be happier to have the experienced centre back on board.
"Droid had a great season in 2019. We saw some real growth and development in his game," he said.
"Averaging his highest stats to date in the league last year, we can certainly expect that he will be taking his game to another level, yet again.
"He is an all-around human-being and an essential piece to continue to build a family culture here with the Braves."
Andronicos has averaged 8.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and almost a block per game over his 100-plus career games with the Braves.
The 28-year-old adopted local has well and truly established himself in the Bendigo community since his arrival in 2016 and shapes as a key to the side's playoff fortunes as one of the most experienced players on the roster.
"I'm still enjoying playing for Bendigo," Andronicos said.
"This will mark five seasons with the Braves and after being honoured with team captaincy alongside Ray Turner, I definitely wasn't going to leave this team or this club."
Andronicos is the fifth player signing for the Braves men's team for this season.
He joins two-time club MVP Ray Turner and newcomers Javaan Mumtaz, Lochlan Cummings and Marshall Nelson, who is currently playing for Jamtland Basket in the Basketligan Swedish league.
Nelson, a point guard and former NBL development player with Illawarra Hawks, scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in Jamtland's most recent match on Tuesday (Swedish time), an 87-76 win against Nassjo.
He is averaging 8.6 points, three rebounds and 2.9 assists in his role off the bench for Jamtland.
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