Athletic big man Byron ‘‘BJ’’ Gladden and the Gators mutually accepted a separation between player and organisation five rounds into the Big V division one men’s season.
Greater Shepparton Basketball Association and the Gators announced the exit on Tuesday night.
Gladden arrived as an international import into the new-look Gators, with the 6’6’’ (198cm) American arriving in the Goulburn Valley following a season of professional basketball in Peru league La Liga de Lima, which followed a previous stint on Australian soil for Big V side Sunbury.
The Gators centre had been a force inside the paint despite Shepparton’s winless start to its campaign, averaging 13.4 points and eight rebounds a game.
Gators coach Sam Gebauer said the club’s rebuilding phase opposed Gladden’s situation as a full-time basketballer, with Shepparton’s hopes to develop its young squad affecting Gladden’s ability to showcase his skill set.
“We love BJ, he’s a ripper guy and he fit our culture really well,” Gebauer said.
“We just found differences the last couple of weeks and had some long conversations of where he wants to be against how we want to develop our side for the long term.
“Our program is in a rebuilding phase and BJ is a full-time basketball import, everything he does is in hopes to chase that next contract.
“BJ is chasing big goals, so it’s in his best interest to seek other opportunities.
“Being on a team like this can be challenging for someone who needs statistics and to show he can be a winner.
“He’s disappointed to be leaving, he loves the guys and the Shepparton community, but at the end of the day we’ve got to prioritise what’s best for both parties.
“We want to give our young guys experience and the opportunity to get out on the floor and make mistakes, rather than take a back seat on the bench.
“Both parties are comfortable with the result and we’re helping support him and his agent, who we’re well connected with, find his next club.”
Gators captain Josh Kooiman echoed there was no bad blood between Gladden and the team, with the club feeling it was in both parties’ best interest to separate.
“It was a mutual agreement, the fit just wasn’t working as well as we thought,” Kooiman said.
“We pride ourselves as a Shepparton organisation for putting the player first and allowing him to seek opportunities that work better for him and better for us.”
The Gators could potentially swoop up another import, but work Visa laws mean the process takes time, giving at least the next few weeks for the Gators to promote players from its development program.
Despite the squad fluctuations, Kooiman urges Shepparton supporters to stick fat with the side through the rough patch.
“We don’t have anyone necessarily pencilled in right now (as a replacement),” Kooiman said.
“But it gives the opportunity to younger guys which is good.
“We’re not doing the best as we want to right now for the Shepparton community, but we’re trying our hardest, putting in the work.
“Hopefully our supporters will see our first win come soon.”
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