Ayinde Ubaka is set to join the Melbourne Tigers just two years after they axed him. Picture: Hamilton Fiona Source: HeraldSun
EXPECT Melbourne Tigers to shortly reveal their replacement NBL import for injured Stephen Dennis to be 191cm playmaking guard Ayinde "Chewy" Ubaka.
The Californian played 18 games with Melbourne in 2011-12 before being sensationally sacked by former Tigers owner Seamus McPeake in a locker room confrontation after a shock loss.
Ubaka was immediately snapped up by Wollongong and saw out the season with the Hawks.
First brought to Australia to play for new Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright at Gold Coast Blaze in 2009-10, he was selected in the NBL All-Star Five Second Team.
In 2010-11 with Cairns he helped steer the Taipans into their historic first grand final series before joining Melbourne with teammates Ron Dorsey and Daniel Dillon.
But the Tigers, under current Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson, were struggling when McPeake stormed into the rooms and blasted his team, sacking Ubaka on the spot.
Gleeson, who was attending a post-game press conference, did not even know of the dismissal until he arrived back in the rooms sometime later.
Ubaka, 28, was a well-liked member of the team and stressed at the time he had no ill feelings towards the club despite the nature of his dismissal.
His issues were with McPeake, who has long since departed the NBL outfit.
In 85 NBL games, Ubaka averaged 14.1 points and 3.7 assists and should be a smooth fit for the organisation.
Tigers coach Chris Anstey was unavailable for comment today and originally made it clear he was looking for "another Stephen Dennis" after his new star ruptured an Achilles tendon at team training on Monday.
With Dennis out for the season and joining club MVP Chris Goulding and captain Tommy Greer on the injured list, the season suddenly looked very grim for Melbourne.
But a 1-1 road split in pre-season games against highly-fancied Adelaide this week revealed Lucas Walker will be this year's surprise packet and that the Tigers have great heart.
Canadian import Scott Morrison and returning dual-Olympian Mark Worthington also starred, making Ubaka a quality option.
The Tigers also are keen to see how Dennis recovers from his injury with a view to reinstating him next season.
That gives Ubaka a year to again show the NBL he belongs here and to try and cement his own legacy with a view to further contracts.
The NBL season tips off on Thursday in Auckland when New Zealand hosts Wollongong, with Melbourne playing its first game on the road against Sydney tomorrow week.
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