Four-time NBA All-Star and inaugural South Dragons head coach Mark Price touched down in Melbourne early Sunday morning, and will oversee his first training session today.

‘It’s game time,” said Price on arrival.

“I’ve had a good amount of time to think about our pre-season preparation… I’m very excited about getting started.”

The Dragons will take to the court this morning under the watchful eye of Price at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, the official training home for Victoria’s newest NBL club.

Price will be eager to assess the form of the Dragons two imports, including former NBA teammate Todd Fuller, and German-born swingman Christian Anderson.

Captain Shane Heal won’t participate in today’s session; the four-time Olympian incurred a groin strain last week, and is expected to miss a week of action.

The Dragons will also be without the services of centre Matt Burston, who is expected to resume full training in the coming weeks, following post-season surgery on his right ankle.

It’s been over nine months since the South Dragons began negotiations the Cleveland Cavaliers legend. In December 2005 Price agreed to meet with now South Dragons Assistant Adrian Newall at his Atlanta residence via the connection of a mutual friend.

Despite declining several NBA offers, Price considered the proposal from Melbourne’s newest NBL club, agreeing to travel South to survey his prospective surrounds.

In February Mark and brother Brent journeyed Down Under to meet with the clubs ownership group, and within a fortnight the Dragons would sign one of the NBA’s best all-time pure shooters as their inaugural head coach.

Price will have eight scheduled pre-season matches to ready the Dragons for their NBL debut, beginning with a clash in the heartland of the Victorian basketball community on the 23rd of August at Knox Stadium against the Cairns Taipans.

The Dragons first NBL home clash will come against the Wollongong Hawks on the 14th of October at Vodafone Arena. The following week the Dragons will face last season’s NBL champions and hometown rivals Melbourne Tigers (Saturday October 22 at Vodafone Arena).

THE SOUTH DRAGONS will embark on an NBA-style community program tomorrow night, in the first installment of the 2006/07 Back to the ‘Burbs.

All ten Dragons will take to the court in an open training session at Nunawading Basketball Stadium, followed by a signature session on the show court.

South Dragons 2006/07: Shane Heal, Frank Drmic, Jacob Holmes, Matthew Burston, Matthew Shanahan, Adam Quick, Todd Fuller, Joe Ingles, Brent Hobba, Christian Anderson. Coaching Staff: Mark Price, Scott Ninnis, and Adrian Newall.