Written BY CHLOE HOPE (The Advocate)

THE Thunder has completed its import line-up for the 2010 season.

Two well-credentialled US basketballers flew into the Coast yesterday, raring to get started with the Tall Timbers Thunder and finishing off a long process for the board and coach Phil Thomas.

Small forward-guard Shawntes Gary, from Elkhart, Indiana, is 192cm and 95kg.

He played division one NCAA College basketball at Western Michigan University for four years, and in his senior year averaged 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Michael Martin Junior will be the team's second tall, complementing Townsville Crocodile Jeff Dowdell, who will join the team once the NBL season finishes.

Martin is a 202cm, 105kg forward and has toured Chile and Romania playing his sport, as well as playing at college level for Chicago State University.

Thomas said Gary would play NWBU for Ulverstone, while there is no decision yet on who Dowdell and Martin will line up with.

Thomas is excited that the two US imports are here and ready to train.

"Obviously we have a set role in mind for each player, and that is in the starting five, but now they are here we'll see what their strengths are and may make some adjustments," Thomas said.

Now that he nearly has his whole group together, Thomas will start looking at full-on planning and plays for the season ahead.

"We will put a group on the floor that is going to be very competitive and good to watch," he said.

Ben Murfett and Scott McGaffin are likely to get increased opportunities this year, with Sam Armstrong now a non-playing assistant coach, and Leigh McGaffin still troubled by his ankle injury.

Ben Armstrong and Nick Haywood will make up the experienced backcourt of the Thunder.

Thomas said it would be refreshing for the team to have the two new players at training this week, and to get to learn their styles of play.

It would take time for the team to adjust to the additions, Thomas said, but added that the transition to a new team and home along with learning about the NWBU and SEABL competitions was a also a tough transition for the imports.