The Eagle has landed. Former Winthrop Eagle, Taj McCullough, that is.

(As corny headlines go, that would be a great one for the papers to run with -- you can have that one for free, guys.)

Today the Sydney Kings introduced 24-year old forward McCullough to the Sydney media. He does not enter the country as a total stranger, having played in Israel with fellow new King, Julian Khazzouh.

The pair, forming a front-line with import Rod Grizzard, will likely be the most productive segment in the Kings' lineup. And McCullough had plenty of good things to say about the move, as persuaded by his big man, Khazzouh:

An off-season update from the Perth Wildcats, with particular emphasis on Shawn Redhage and his need to bulk up with some muscle.

Leading up to the FIBA World Championships of Basketball in Turkey this year, the Australian Boomers have gotten a boost with the announcement by Patty Mills that he indeed will be available to play with the team in the upcoming warmup series against international powerhouse Argentina in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne.

The series will be played from 25-29 June and Mills will be with the Boomers in camp on 20 June in Perth. Argentina is the perfect preparation for the Boomers (sponsored by Golden Star), as they boast a host of international experience and are traditionally one of the favourites to take out any international tournament. Whilst star Argentine and San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili has had to withdraw from this Summer's commitments due to ongoing injury woes, in his absence, coach Sergio Hernandez will rely on his veteran players like Luis Scola, Fabrico Oberto, Carlos Delfino, Andres Nocioni, and Pablo Prigioni -- all of which carry huge kudos at the international level.

Today the Sydney Kings announced through media release that they have signed guard Damien Ryan to their "resurrected" roster for 2010/11. The Australian Boomers squad member brings fire-power from the perimeter as well as valuable experience gained during the past six years played in Italy.

This from the just-published NBL press release:

Basketball Australia has released the schedule for the 2010/11 National Basketball League season, with the Sydney Kings scheduled to make their highly-anticipated return to the NBL on the same day the competition begins play on Friday 15 October.

The Kings, who will return to the NBL after a two-year absence, will face long-time rivals the Melbourne Tigers on the road in a classic Sydney-Melbourne confrontation on Opening Night at the State Netball Hockey  Centre (AKA ‘The Cage’).