When it comes to putting in hard work to achieve your goals, new Cheshire Phoenix signing Sean McGonagill is top of the class.
The 23-year-old point guard was announced as Cheshire’s first new face of the summer on Monday, with the 6ft 1ins Brown University graduate arriving at the Nix via a season playing professionally in Germany’s Regionalliga West with Giants Düsseldorf.
McGonagill, who holds a dual Irish and American passport, arrives at the Cheshire Oaks Arena with glowing references from his time at Brown, in Rhode Island state, as well an impressive tally of 19.3 points per game during his spell in Germany.
At Brown, an Ivy League college famed more for its academic prowess than athletic, McGonagill, who majored in Economics, was a standout performer.
As a high school prospect out of Brookfield, Illinois, McGonagill wasn’t on the radar of Brown scouts but shone during a scrimmage and was picked up by the college, going on to become one of the finest players in its history during his four-year stint between 2010 and 2014.
He ended his time at Brown with records for the most career three-pointers, most career game starts, first in single-season assists and fourth in all-time career points with nearly 1,600 for the university.
Now, beginning a new chapter to his career with the Phoenix in the BBL, McGonagill is hoping that hard work ethic that served him so well in college will continue to do so in his new life in the UK.
WATCH: Sean McGonagill's college highlight reel
“I approach what I need to accomplish with a blue collar mentality,” said McGonagill, who was also lauded for his work on campus and in the community during his time at Brown.
“I have been raised to believe that hard work and perseverance is what pays off in the long run.
“I am excited to get started and get to know all of my teammates and coaching staff. I always set high expectations for myself and my team.
“I know this will be a great opportunity and great experience to be a part of the BBL and I’m looking forward to helping achieve our team goals.”
McGonagill has already tasted a year of the professional game in Germany and says he is now ready to take his career to the next level with the Nix, giving them a taster of what to expect from him on the court.
“Playing for the Giants Düsseldorf was great exposure to a first year in European basketball,” he said.
“Fans can expect me to use my skills as a point guard to create great opportunities for my teammates and also be aggressive myself with my scoring and shooting.
“Also I’ll be able to help create a tempo on defence and create problems for the other teams offence.”
McGonagill is the first new face for the Nix this season, with head coach John Lavery rebuilding the squad following the notable departures of American trio Demond Watt, Taylor King and Dustin Salisbery.
Last season’s captain David Aliu, signed on a two-year deal last summer, will be back once more to lead the team while Martyn Gayle will also return.
For McGonagill, he isn’t content with coming over to be part of a squad that is making up the numbers in the BBL, he is targeting a tilt at silverware in his debut season.
He added: “My personal goal is to grow as a player and teammate along with helping our team be as successful as we can.
“I am excited to join the Phoenix and help us achieve our goals of winning a championship.”
