Price, voted the greatest Cleveland Cavalier by fans agreed to terms on a one-year deal this week, and is expected to arrive in Melbourne over the next couple of months to begin the task of recruiting players, particularly imports.

“I’m extremely excited about it. It’s a great opportunity for me to come and be part of a brand new franchise in the South Dragons,” Price said down the line from Atlanta today.

“Our goal for right now is to do as well as we possibly can.

“I’ll do my best to try to get this organisation on the right foot and get some excitement going about the South Dragons basketball and take it from there.”

Price rates as one of the all-time great shooters in NBA history, a back-to-back winner of the All-Star three point shootout, Price is also the best career free-throw shooter in NBA history, with an average of 94.0.

Price’s jersey 25 was retired by the Cavaliers in 1999, he was also the leading vote-getter on the Cavs All-Time team, as voted by Cleveland fans.

“We’re cooking with gas,” said Dragons chairman Mark Cowan today. “To this point we’ve be extremely excited by the build-up of energy about the club and to have Mark’s signature consolidates that excitement.

“Mark’s vision, integrity and profile are the perfect match for our organization.”

NBL hero Andrew Gaze believes there’ll be ‘nothing better for Australian basketball’ in response to Price’s appointment.

“It’s a huge signing for the Dragons, and will revitalise the sport not only here in Melbourne but across the country.”

“There’s nothing better for basketball in this country than to have a player of the calibre of Mark Price coming along and sharing his experiences with the NBL,” added Gaze.

The Dragons began communication with Price over three months ago, with scout Adrian Newall meeting the NBA legend at his Atlanta residence.

Following a comprehensive interview process, Price was nominated as a preferred candidate, and invited to Melbourne to meet with Dragons’ management to further discussions.

Mark Price, Cleveland Cavaliers/Washington Bullets/Golden State_Named NBA All-Star four times (1989, 1992-94)… led the NBA in free throw percentage twice (1991-92, ‘92-93)… won the NBA’s Long Distance Shootout back-to-back years (1993-94)… Price ranks first among all Cavaliers in three-point field goals made and attempted, assists, steals and free throw percentage… He also ranks among the top 10 all-time in franchise history in points scored (3rd), three-point field goal percentage (3rd), free throws made (3rd), field goals made (4th), field goals attempted (4th), games played (5th), free throws attempted (5th) and minutes played (5th)… Price was named to the Cavaliers’ All-Time Starting Five by 32 members of the Northeast Ohio media during the Cavaliers 30th Anniversary season… He was also the leading vote-getter on the Cavs All- Time Team, as voted on by the Cleveland fans… the Cavaliers retired his no. 25 jersey on November 13, 1999… Highest free-throw percentage, career_(minimum 1,200 made) .904-Mark Price, Cleveland, 1986-87-1994-95; Washington, 1995-96; Golden State, 1996-97 (2,135/2,362)