CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Island Storm has lost one of its big men.
Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (ADT) is now with the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. He played three minutes Wednesday for the Utah Jazz affiliate.
It means the Storm will be without one of its big men tonight when they host the Moncton Magic at 7 p.m. at the Eastlink Centre.
“It’s not the way we envisioned it,” head coach Tim Kendrick said Thursday. “We’re actively looking to bring someone in, (but) it won’t be for tonight.”
Dixon-Tatum, a seven-foot-one centre, played with the Maine Red Claws of the G League in 2016-17.
He played 20 minutes during the Storm’s first game of the season, recording four points, three rebounds, a steal and a block.
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With his absence, centre Zack Valliere will get more minutes and the team will make some adjustments to its game plan.
“I think we’re going to do some things a little bit differently, for sure, that we probably wouldn't do because of the situation we’re in,” Kendrick said. “We just have to come out and play very hard and we have to do a better job of the little things.”
It includes boxing out, rebounding and converting from the free-throw line. The Storm have missed 33 free throws during the past two games and lost both by a combined seven points.
With the ADT’s departure, the Storm has activated Trenity Burdine from the inactive reserve roster spot.
The former Holland College Hurricanes wing player will dress for tonight’s contest with the Magic.
“He’s very exited. He’s ready to go,” Kendrick said. “We really liked Trenity. He’s a good player, he’s long at six-foot-six; he can play and play multiple spots. He’s a kind of guy we really like.”
Kendrick said the team is not sure if Dixon-Tatum may be back this season, but they retain his National Basketball League of Canada rights.
While it is tough losing a player, Kendrick said it shows the calibre of talent throughout the circuit.
“I think it's a positive thing for our franchise and for our league.”
