Who are the RMIT Redbacks? Part three: Mens basketball

Photo credit: RMIT Sports

RMIT’s men’s basketball team have won five silver medals at previous UniGames events and 3x3 basketball nationals. Close, but not close enough.

This year, the team is out for redemption.

“At the last three UniSport Nationals we’ve won a silver medal. With the exception of last year, they’ve all been by one point as well. Our group’s core has remained mostly unchanged and we’ve added some incredible recruits this year. So everybody’s extremely motivated and raring to go for Gold!” team manager Kane Annesley said.

Photo credit: RMIT Sports

At last year’s Division 1 Nationals, the men’s basketball final was one of the highlights of the week for the Redbacks squad. The majority of teams had finished their tournaments so all gathered courtside to cheer and chant for the basketballers.

“Everyone loves playing in front of a crowd, especially one as rowdy as the Redbacks! It’s an unbelievable atmosphere. Having the support of your fellow athletes not only pushes us all to higher standards but builds the excitement and appreciation for it tenfold,” Kane said.

“During our finals games, our team replicates the ‘We Ready’ NFL chant. Everybody really gets into it so it can be unbelievably loud and a little scary sometimes. It doesn’t sound remotely in sync or harmonised whatsoever, especially given the fact that it’s 15 large men with zero vocal ability. But it hypes us and the crowd up and certainly is a head-turner, to say the least!” Kane said.

According to Kane, this will be the “strongest Redbacks basketball team” RMIT has had in recent times.

“Of the 14 people in our squad (including coaches), 13 of us play in Big V, which is a semi-professional league of various divisions within Victoria. It’s exciting to have a group of guys who are all skilled enough to play at such a high level.”

Kane is coming up to his sixth UniSport event, having competed in both standard and 3x3 basketball Nationals events. He is in his third year of a Chemical Engineering and Business Management double degree.

With a wealth of experience in UniGames events, he described them as “great competition and a great social outing”.

Photo credit: RMIT Sports

“The build-up to the event itself is really exciting. You get to know a group of guys who are very like-minded to you, so by the time you go to Nationals and spend a week together they’re already some of your best mates as opposed to people you just have to start building bonds with.”

When asked who the standout character in the team was, Kane heaped praise on teammate Zeb Jarvis.

“You will hear this man before you will see him,” Kane said. “After being struck by the biggest ‘AYEEE’ you’ve ever heard in your life, you’ll be greeted by an ear-to-ear smile and a hug or handshake before you’ve even turned around. He’s the embodiment of what a Redback is, he’s stepped up to run Cross country and Coaching the Women’s Basketball team, all whilst being on the Men’s Basketball team.

“He truly is the driver of Redbacks culture - he even had the logo shaved into the side of his hair at last year’s Nationals… if you’re ever in need of inspiration hit up Zeb!”