Maltese abroad: Kahler racking major minutes in QSL

With the inaugural Queensland State League (QSL) season having started in August, NELSON KAHLER, who has been part of the Malta National team since 2019 after getting citizenship through his grandfather, is making waves with Sunshine Coast Pheonix Teal. The Times of Malta’s Sportsdesk looks at Kahler and other Maltese professionals plying their trade overseas in another segment of ‘Maltese abroad’.

AUSTRALIA

Kahler (picture) played major minutes in the Phoenix’s last game on Saturday against Red City Roar (7.30 PM Australia/11.30 AM Malta) but this was not enough for the side as they ended a five-win streak after losing 84-103.

The recent addition to the Malta National Team was on fire for the Phoenix throughout the season, also grabbing a double-double – scoring 17 points and grabbing 21 rebounds – against Logan Thunder last week, while only turning over possession three times.

The Phoenix are now fourth in the standings, level on points with Ipswich Force.

Kahler, who played in the US, Germany, and Spain apart from Australia, played most of the team’s minutes.

USA

18-year-old student-athlete Jack Zammit, who joined Gustav Adolphus College in the D3 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) back in May, will have to wait for his debut as the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 3 administrative committee recommended that schools do not compete in Fall term ‘to avoid potential increased health and safety risks’, resulting in MIAC announcing last week that competition will restart in January 2021.

Similarly, Otero Rattlers’ Sophie Abela who is entering her sophomore year as a student-athlete after starting 28 games of the 30 she has played in so far, will also be continuing in the Spring semester after the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) stated that “Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes. Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place.” The 2020-21 season will also be consisting of an abbreviated schedule.

ITALY

Center Kurt Cassar and Pallacanestro Orzinuovi are in full swing ahead of their first league fixture against Pallacanestro Biella on November 15 as the Italian Serie A2 2020-21 season’s calendar was announced on Friday.

This will be Cassar’s debut at the Brescia club after moving from Reale Mutua Torino back in June.