The Wollongong Hawks have unveiled Oscar Forman as team captain for the 2012-13 NBL season.
Almost everyone tipped 19-year veteran Glen Saville to assume the skipper’s role after Mat Campbell retired at the end of last season, but the 36-year-old forward was happy to see his teammate get the job.
Forman is in his 13th season and his third at Wollongong.
The 30-year-old forward led the league in three-point shooting last season and captured the NBL Most Improved Player award in 2010-11.
He is proud to be named captain of the league’s last foundation club and is already enjoying the added responsibility.
‘‘It’s time for me to step up and take that role, and I think it’s going to help me all across the court,’’ Forman said.
‘‘It’s an honour for me, absolutely, to step into that captaincy role. It’s something that needs to happen for my game to improve and something I need to focus on.
‘‘I like to think that I’m able to keep a level head and see things fairly, and becoming captain ...is something I’m very comfortable with.
‘‘Obviously with the departure of Campbell there’s a huge hole there. Sav’s always going to be a leader and it comes naturally to him, but he’s mentioned that he wants to concentrate on playing.
‘‘Sav and I sat down in the preseason and he said it wasn’t a role he really wanted. He’s got a lot on his plate with an extra kid in the family now. He said he’d help me out as much as he can and back me up at all times, and he’s been really good with that. He’s been chatting to me and having a word in my ear and been very helpful.’’
Forman had his first official taste of the captaincy in last Friday’s season-opening victory over the Sydney Kings.
Playing 27 minutes, he finished with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and a block.
Forman claimed everyone at the Hawks had ‘‘become more vocal’’.
‘‘The big thing is that a lot of us needed to step up and we are stepping up,’’ he said.
‘‘If someone notices something they know they can say something. It’s healthy for the team, having more leaders rather than just one or two.’’
Forman is looking forward to leading his side into battle in this Friday’s road meeting with the Cairns Taipans.
The Taipans started with a home win over Townsville.