The Dragons will be the ninth NBL team for Shanahan, who was Vice Captain of the Perth Wildcats for the last couple of years.

“Matt will bring experience and leadership to our program,” said Dragons’ chairman Mark Cowan today.

“As a Victorian it’s important for us that Matt’s active within the local basketball community playing for Kilsyth in the SEABL.”

Michele Timms, recently named South Dragons Basketball Development Officer believes Shanahan is a key pickup for the Dragons.

“He’s a versatile player who knows the league, “ offered Timms.

“I think he’ll be great for the franchise and his track record speaks for itself... I couldn’t have picked a more suitable player for this team.”

Shanahan, who led the NBL in three point percentage in 1999, says the signing of one of the NBA’s all-time greatest shooters as head coach was a major attraction to joining the Dragons.

“It seems everyone’s talking about the Dragons around the league, it’ll be great to start working with the roster and really building a team culture,” said Shanahan.

“The possibility of playing with Hammer (Shane Heal) was also a big drawcard, I’d love to be on the court with him should he chose to return.”

In ‘94 Shanahan was on the North Melbourne Giants Championship team.

“I’d love to see out my career in my home town, and I can’t wait to run onto Vodafone Arena in front of our home crowd in October.”

Last week the Dragons announced 203cm swingman Joe Ingles from the AIS as the clubs first signing.

Shanahan recently scored 31 points against Ingle’s AIS team, as the Kilsyth Cobras beat the AIS 93-79 on the 12th of March.