Since returning from 4 years of playing College basketball in Canada, Max Viitala has been a big part of the Melbourne Tigers’ senior men’s team. For the past 3 years, Max has been the penultimate team player, with the ability to play a number of positions, providing excellent perimeter shooting, passing and outstanding decision-making. In the 2019 NBL1 season, Max averaged 7.2ppg, 3.1rpg and 1.5apg in around 22 mins per game.
During the off-season, Max has been starring in the Country Basketball League’s North East Division, for his home town team, the Wallan Panthers. He received the league MVP award, all-star five selection and capped off his season as the highest scorer (25.2ppg). In the Grand Final, Max led his team to a league title, scoring 22 points.
Tigers’ head coach Brad Pineau, has expressed the importance of having Max in the line-up this year. “He is part of the core of the NBL1 Tigers’ men’s team, that performed so well in 2019”, said Brad. “Max was an important factor in our 5th position standing last year and along with our returning and new players we have expectations to improve in 2020”.
The Tigers’ men open up their 2020 NBL1 South campaign, with a home game against local rivals Sandringham Sabres: 2:30pm tip-off at MSAC on Sunday 19th April. Note that the Tigers’ women’s game will be a curtain-raiser on the day, starting at 12:30pm.