Having the entire men’s roster from the 2020 West Coast Classic re-sign for the inaugural NBL1 West season in 2021 was huge for our club. That group played a fast and exciting brand of basketball, were flat out fun to watch and only missed the four-team finals series by the smallest of point differentials in the final game of the season.
That final game confirmed what had been a niggling worry for us throughout the West Coast Classic: if we didn’t find ourselves a genuine inside big we might struggle to compete with the teams at the top of the ladder in the inaugural NBL1 West season.
Which is why we’re thrilled to announce the signing of Louis Timms.
The six-foot-nine veteran doesn’t just bring a significant inside game to the team, he brings both international and local experience.
Louis kicked off his SBL career in 2013 for the Kalamunda Eastern Suns. He played two seasons there before heading to Joondalup Wolves where he was part of their 2015 Championship team. He was also a development player for the Wildcats at that time.
In 2016 Timms headed to college in the US where he played NAIA basketball for Wayland Baptist University and led the nation in blocked shots, averaging 13ppg, 9rpg and 3.5 blocks. In 2018 he returned to play with the Suns and in 2019 was an SBL All-Star starter as he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game to take the Suns to their first playoff series in 10 years.
2019 saw Louis head to Copenhagen to play in the Danish National League where he led the league in rebounds before returning to Perth where he was unable to play the 2020 West Coast Classic due to injury.
What made Louis sign with the Perth Redbacks for 2021 NBL1 West? He says:
“I saw an opportunity to be a part of a well-rounded, well coached and highly talented team that has the potential to go all the way in the first NBL1 season.”
As for what he thinks he’ll bring to the team:
“An aggressive scoring mentality has always been an integral aspect to my game. But I also pride myself on defence and I think I will certainly help anchor our defence and provide rim protection. I’m also passionate about player development and am looking forward to helping our young guys to better themselves as basketball players.”
That’s music to our ears and we’re glad Louis is feeling the love from the club already:
“I’ve been welcomed with open arms to the Redbacks by everyone: players, coaches and administration. I already know quite a lot of the guys so settling into the team has been a breeze. I have known coach CJ for a long time and have always had a lot of respect for him as a coach, player and someone who is passionate about player development in WA. I’m excited to be playing for him.”
CJ is equally excited to have him in the team:
“I’m delighted with the acquisition of our new mobile forward Louis Timms. Since joining the team, he has been very professional with his approach to our program. He is versatile, lengthy, strong, a high flyer and fills a huge hole in our roster. We get a scoring big who can rim protect and also fits beautifully into our style of play. Louis is one of the first players in the gym before every session, trains hard when we’re on the court and works on his basketball skills after we are done. The team have embraced him and I’m confident that come the start of the season, other teams are going to find us to be a very hard matchup indeed.”
SBL Director Nathan Barns is also thrilled to have Louis on board:
“Throughout the offseason we have been looking for someone to fill our ‘big’ void. Someone who could help Tevin out around the rim. We are so glad that we were able to secure the services of someone as talented as Louis. Not just for the talent he brings but for his character too. He is such a down to earth, likeable guy and he fits perfectly within our Redbacks culture. I look forward to seeing what Louis brings to the Redbacks in 2021, both on and off the court.”