Sturt basketballer Nate Garth misses part of Premier League season for birth of first child

NATE Garth’s start to life at Sturt Basketball Club has been far from smooth – but he could not be happier about it.

Sturt basketball import Nate Garth has had an interrupted start to the season. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens.

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NATE Garth’s start to life as a Sturt Sabre has been far from smooth – but he could not be happier about it.

Just days after the second match of the men’s Premier League basketball season, Garth’s partner Sierra went into labour.

The 28-year-old American was on the next flight home to California for the birth of his first child, Maliya.

“I was here for five weeks and then had to fly over and then I flew back the day before our game against West and played that game,” Garth says.

“That was part of the agreement when I signed, that I didn’t miss any action if I were to go home, so I had to find the flight that brought me back just the day before because I was trying to maximise all my time with my daughter.

“Now I’m just settling back in. It’s been a rollercoaster.”

The point guard was still able to put up 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the round three loss to the Bearcats.

Garth leads the Sabres in scoring and assists this season and is second in rebounds. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens.

Garth has landed in Adelaide after a college hoops career at New Mexico before transferring to California, Santa Barbara.

The 188cm Sacramento native has also played in Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Norway since graduating from college in 2013.

Garth says his interrupted start to the season has affected his game, but hopes he will now be able to get back on track.

“It’s kinda thrown me off percentage-wise – I’m shooting pretty bad from three to start the year,” he says.

“I’ve never had to play with so much on my plate before, so it’s definitely an adjustment.

“I’m only human and the birth of your first child is a big moment in life as everyone knows.

“So now I just need to try get back in my rhythm and once I settle back down everything will just start clicking again.”

Garth is averaging 14.75 points, 7.5 rebounds (seventh in the league) and 5.5 assists (third) per game so far this season.

“She (Sierra) is really supportive and she said ‘you go ahead and finish your dreams – play it out’ and my family is strong and they’re looking out for her and my daughter while I’m not there.

“I’m really lucky in that way.”