Locking horns with teammate Jonah Bolden at training this season will challenge Jordan Hunter as much as any clash with an NBL rival, the Sydney Kings centre predicts.
Hunter fell behind import Tim Soares in the Kings' pecking order last season but has been the starting centre for each of Mahmoud Abdelfattah's first three games as coach.
He has averaged more rebounds (six) than any other King on the side's 2-1 start to NBL24, and picked up a team-high 22 points in Sunday's win over the Adelaide 36ers.
"I'm just going to relish the starting opportunity, make the most of it and try to be as efficient as possible in the minutes I have," Hunter told AAP.
Hunter missed the entire 2021/22 season with a foot injury but was hopeful of reclaiming his spot as starting centre last year.
Then-coach Chase Buford had other ideas, and was bullish on starting Soares even after questions over the Brazilian's form at the business end of last season.
"It's not keeping me up at night that I didn't start but it was something I was striving for," Hunter said.
"I had full faith in myself to take on that role in that year.
"But Tim is a great player and it was a great fit for that starting line-up."
Rewarded for his patience with first crack at the starting spot under Abdelfattah, Hunter credited new signing Bolden for helping him begin the season strongly.
Bolden, the son of club legend Bruce, made his return to professional basketball this season, three years after leaving the sport to pursue a career in cryptocurrency.
The 27-year-old was a forward during his 61-game NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
But at 203cm tall he shapes as another option at centre for the Kings as he eases back into professional basketball.
"We train against great guys. Iron sharpens iron," Hunter said.
"We're always helping get each other better.
"Jonah Bolden's going to be better than most of, if not all, of the players that I have to play in the league.
"That's always going to help me nail that starting spot down."
