The Island Storm hopes it has found the guy who can consistently knock down shots from the outside.
The Storm announced Tuesday it had signed Malik Story and released Kareem Canty.
“We’ve been looking for a consistent outside shooter. His career certainly indicates he’s that guy,” head coach Tim Kendrick said. “He’s a bonafide shooter.”
The six-foot-five guard started his collegiate career at Indiana State before transferring to the University of Nevada. In 2017-18, Story averaged 19 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes a game for the Cape Breton Highlanders.
“He’s had some big games in this league,” Kendrick said.
Story is expected to arrive today and be available for practice with the team intending to play him on Sunday when it hosts the Saint John Riptide (7-14) at 2 p.m.
The Storm (4-15) has lost four straight games and is in the basement of the 10-team league. It has 21 games remaining in the season and was three games back of Saint John before Tuesday’s action in the race for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. The Island squad does have a couple of games in hand.
“We realize we have to make a run here,” Kendrick said. “We have to win several games to get back into this thing.”
The Storm is also looking at other moves before the Feb. 15 (at 10:30 p.m. Atlantic) trade deadline. Players must play a minimum of six games with their team in order to be eligible for playoffs.
Kendrick said the team has some strong north-south players on the wing with Alex Campbell, Tyree White and Guillaume Boucard. With Story hitting shots, the team hopes it helps open driving lanes for those players while also allowing forward Sampson Carter better looks away from double teams inside.
“I think it will make the game easier for our guys,” Kendrick said.
The Storm released Canty, who was fourth in the team scoring at 14.6 points per game in 11 contests. Canty joined the squad in December when the Storm released Jarrell Tate.
