A fan favourite is heading back to the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors, with 25-year-old Viliami Foketi signing a one-year deal to remain at the club for the 2022 NBL1 North season.
The athletic wing returns to the Sugar City following a solid 2021 campaign, where he averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1 steal per game, while shooting 50 per cent from the field and 80 per cent from the free throw line.
For his efforts, Foketi was named the Meteors Best Defensive Player in 2021. The fan favourite also took home the Mackay Pride Sponsors Award.
The NBL1 North Grand Final series provided the stage where the Tongan international really made his mark. He dropped 18 points in game one, before delivering 20 points in the game two decider, while defending the Cairns Marlins main scoring weapons.
McDonald’s Mackay Meteors NBL1 North Head Coach Joel Khalu was thrilled about Foketi’s return.
“Vili is one of those guys that every coach wants to have on their team,” Khalu said.
“He’s outstanding defensively and really enjoys the challenge of guarding the other side’s best player, night after night.
“But it’s not just that (defensive) end. Vili is dynamic offensively, shoots the ball well and can also create off the bounce or in the post. He’s also an underrated rebounder too.”
“Best of all, Vili is a great person and teammate and that’s why it was critical that we brought him back.”
When reflecting on last year’s NBL1 North season, Foketi used the word, “hectic”.
“In the true sense of the word and not how it’s used colloquially,” he said.
“A season mired by uncertainty due to COVID, a new playing group learning how to play with each other, we had to adapt quite a lot. However, we stayed the course, worked hard and were extremely fortunate to make the grand final and win it all.”
There was no doubting Foketi’s goals leading into 2022.
“As a group we naturally want to defend our title and go for a NBL1 National Championship, especially given we didn’t have that opportunity last season due to COVID.
“Personally, I think last season’s grand final series showed that I can perform at a high level.
“This season I’ll be looking to replicate that standard on a more consistent basis.”
Coach Khalu said there could also be bigger things on the horizon for Foketi.
“He has aspirations of playing in the NBL and he’s already an elite level defender, probably better than many of the wings who are currently in the league. If he can grow his offensive skillset and become a more consistent scorer, there’s no doubting that he could play in the NBL one day soon.”
#18 Viliami Foketi drives to the basket against the Brisbane Capitals last season. Picture: Kieron Place
