The South Dragons have announced NBL veteran Scott Ninnis will join the club’s coaching staff as first assistant to former Cleveland Cavalier Mark Price for the 2006/07 Philips Championship.

Ninnis brings with him a 324 game career as a player and more than six years experience in a coaching capacity to join forces with four-time NBA all-star Price, in fronting the coaching team of the NBL’s newest franchise

“Scott has a tremendous working knowledge of the Philips Championship and will be of great support to Mark (Price) who will be new to our league,” said Dragons co-owner Mark Cowan.

“In the short term I expect Scott to work in close liaison with Mark on our player recruitment particularly Australian based players,” Cowan added.

Ninnis joins the Dragons after five seasons on the coaching roster of the Adelaide 36ers and last season with the Townsville Crocodiles.

“The decision to relocate to Melbourne is one that is best for my family as well as my professional development,” Said Ninnis.

“It was a very difficult move to make, I had a great opportunity to remain in Townsville and I wish the crocodiles all the best.”

Ninnis is expected to begin with the Dragons in the next fortnight.