“Mister Consistency” Myles Cherry has declined approaches from rival NBL1 clubs to sign on for another season with the General Roberts Hotel Newcastle Falcons.
The mild-mannered man mountain provided power and poise in the paint for the Falcons last season, averaging 17.5 points at 56% shooting, 10 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game to rank among the best big men in the NBL1 East Conference.
Like his Newcastle teammate Ryan Beisty, who is also back for another campaign with the Falcons, Cherry attracted off-season interest from other NBL1 clubs but was happy to commit to Newcastle for another year.
“I am stoked to be able to don the blue, red and white again this season and represent the home town once again,” said Cherry , who is sponsored by Big Brown House.
“We have assembled quite a formidable group this year that will be highly competitive amongst this ever-improving league and I am very much looking forward to being a part of it.”
Fundamentally sound and rarely flustered, Cherry is a consistent contributor at both ends of the floor as a low-post scorer, rebounder and rim protector. He posted 13 double-doubles last year, and his season-high of 36 points in a 78-75 home win against Sutherland on May 14 earned him NBL1 East Player of the Week honours.
“Myles is a highly sought-after big man throughout the league, not only in the East but across several conferences, so we’re very pleased to have him returning to his junior club. He’s a key piece to the puzzle who brings leadership and composure to our group,” Falcons coach Peter Astley said.
“Myles brings not only great qualities as an athlete but, more importantly, he is a quality person off the court who enhances the cultural environment we are fostering at this club.”
The 25-year-old City Limits junior and graduate of St Pius X Adamstown and St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton represented Newcastle from Under 12s to Under 18s. He was a regular selection in NSW Country teams, which included winning national championships in Under 16s and Under 18s.
After completing his US college career at NCAA Division I school Lafayette in 2020, Cherry returned to his home town and represented Newcastle in Waratah League, which became the NBL1 in 2022.
Cherry played 110 games in four years at Lafayette, averaging 9.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his senior year. As a junior he was named on the Patriot League Academic Honour Roll.
The Falcons open the NBL1 East season on the road against Sutherland Sharks this Saturday and will host Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on March 18 in their first home game of 2023.
