NBL1 South: William Hickey, Monique Conti sign for Casey Cavaliers

An AFLW star has headlined an NBL1 South newcomer’s signings with more “big names to come” according to the club.

The start of the NBL1 South season might be more than two months away but excitement is already close to boiling point for newcomers the Casey Cavaliers.

In recent weeks, the Cavaliers have started announcing their playing roster across the men’s and women’s teams headlined by cross-code sporting star Monique Conti, who is currently starring in the AFLW for Richmond.

She was the second signing on the women’s team after the unveiling of Taylah Giliam — a current member of the WNBL’s Southside Flyers.

Meanwhile, NBL duo Geremy McKay (New Zealand Breakers) and William “Davo” Hickey (Melbourne United) were the first two recruits unveiled for the men’s team.

Dandenong's Taylah Giliam, William Hickey and Monique Conti are among Casey’s first four signings.

But according to Casey Basketball association Tammy Bower the quartet’s arrival is just the beginning.

“Our coaches Dave Peters (men) and Alex Palazzolo (women) have worked really hard to assemble quality rosters which are close to being finished,” she said earlier this month.

“Monique is probably the most well known of our players so far but that’s come from her doing so well in women’s footy.

“It was fantastic she shared the signing news on her own Instagram because it would have helped us to reach more people.

“But it’s exciting to know there are still more big names to come.”

The Cavaliers’ first season in the competition will see the club host four different game including in the First Nations and Pink rounds.

“We’ve got four different uniforms for the season,” Bower said.

“We will have our different designs the First Nations, Pink and Anzac games. The Anzac game will actually be our first game so it will make for a much bigger occasion.

“The community is right behind the club which is really important and that’s followed on from competing at Big V level.”

Since the announcement of Conti’s arrival, the Cavaliers have added four (two men, two women) other players to their roster.

They include Australian junior representative Louise Brown, Matt Donlan, import AJ Williams and Rachel Bell.

One of Australian basketball’s most famous names, the Melbourne Tigers, will travel to take on Casey in the opening game of the season on April 22.