Alihodžić and Durham: Added late, turned out great
Image: Caledonia Gladiators
Due to losses in the roster, the Caledonia Gladiators had to make two big signings midway through the 2022/23 season, these two signings were meant to fill sizeable gaps in the team - and they have done that.
On the 17th of January 2023, the Gladiators announced a contract buyout of guard Jordan Burns, who had signed earlier this season, as he returned to Canada.
Just three days apart, the Gladiators announced the signings of Fahro Alihodžić and Aljami Durham - the two would become giant cogs in the machine of Caledonia.
Fahro Alihodžić
The first arrival was British-Bosnian centre, Fahro Alihodžić. The veteran big man joined from Bashkimi in Kosovo and averaged 12.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in Kosovo’s first division.
Alihodžić debuted alongside Durham in a 76-88 loss to the Bristol Flyers, playing 18 minutes and recording a box score of eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. A good outing, but his best was still to come.
Alihodžić’s best game, so far, came recently against the Surrey Scorchers where he recorded a Gladiators-high 16 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. He has also had another standout game in the most recent game versus the Manchester Giants scoring nine points, grabbing 12 boards (four offensive and eight defensive), three assists, a steal and a block.
Since joining, Alihodžić averages just shy of 20 minutes per game, 10.8 points on 56.7% from the field, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 of which are offensive boards, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks.
Aljami Durham
On the 26th of January, Aljami ‘Al’ Durham was announced as a new guard for the Gladiators, hailing from Georgia and playing college basketball for Indiana and Providence over the span of five years before declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft. In his college career, he played alongside future NBA players Juwan Morgan and Romeo Langford.
Durham spent the first part of the 2022/23 season in Greece playing for G.S. Lavrio in the Greek Basket League where he averaged 5.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and an assist.
In his debut, the guard scored 14 points on 3/7 shooting, got to the free throw line nine times and converted eight, he also grabbed two rebounds and dished out an assist.
Al has scored 22 in two games for the Gladiators so far this season but the better of those performances came against the Manchester Giants - his 22 points came on an efficient 61.5% shooting whilst grabbing three rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Since joining, Durham averages 30 minutes per game, 16 points, six rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
How they impact the team
The two signings have made a great impact on the team, aiding the side to the BBL Trophy final as both made statements in the quarter-final tie versus the London Lions. Durham scored 24 points in the 52-50 victory and Alihodžić lead the way in +/- as he was +11.
Alihodžić, having played professional or organised basketball since 2009/10 in a plethora of leagues across the globe, brings veteran experience to a fairly young crop of talent. Alongside some older heads in the squad such as Ali Fraser, Prince Onwas and, captain, Jonny Bunyan - the use of a veteran is always needed.
For Durham, he provides some fast-paced offence. He isn’t the best shooter but knows how to navigate the inside to get fouls, lay-ups or dish it out to open shooters. Durham also knows how to rally a team, in one of his early games for Caledonia, he got the team in a huddle once the ball went out the bounds and motivated the team to push and strive for victory.
Overall, the two signings have been majorly impactful, had great value and helped the side win their first piece of silverware in 20 years with the BBL Trophy, and now look toward the play-offs.
