Breakers and Tall Blacks star Dan Fotu has signed with the Franklin Bulls for the 2023 Sal’s NBL season in a big coup for the local franchise.
Fotu, a small forward/power forward, signed with the Auckland Tuatara last season only to suffer any injury and missed most of the campaign.
He heads down the motorway to join a Bulls side that is starting to look like a contender, joining guard Jayden Bezzant, centre Tyrell Harrison and swingman Isaac Davidson.
“Dan has only scratched the surface; he’s going to put the league on notice this year if he hasn’t already,” said Bulls GM Mika Vukona.
“He’s an explosive player with unbelievable talent. He’s going to be our workhorse on both ends of the court. He’s got a nose for the hoop and fits in coach Dan’s [coach Dan Sokolovsky] plans.
“He’s a hell of a defender and has started to expand his offensive game. I’m sure he’s going to be a fan favourite and it’s great to see him in Bulls colours this year.”
Head coach Sokolovsky, who has worked closely with Fotu at the Breakers and who was instrumental in recruiting the Kiwi, knows the potential that Fotu can bring the Bulls this season.
“Dan Fotu embodies exactly the direction the Franklin Bulls organization has pivoted towards,” Sokolovsky said.
“It’s of high priority to our club to establish ourselves as a place where burgeoning young Kiwi talent, both in South Auckland and New Zealand as whole, can go to develop their abilities, be challenged, be given opportunity and responsibility, and ultimately mature into key contributors at the international level.
“Scratching the surface” would be an understatement. Dan has both the physical and mental tools to be a player who impacts winning at the highest level for a very long time. The larger basketball community has only seen flashes throughout this season, but I’ve had a front row seat to the daily work he has put in with our coaching staff, and the tutelage he has received from Coach Maor.”
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