Alex Hartman will not suit up for KL Dragons in 2nd ABL season

By Les Tan/Red Sports

Monday, September 7, 2010 — Alex Hartman will not suit up for the KL Dragons for the upcoming ASEAN Basketball League season despite playing for the Malaysian team in their recent domestic season. Hartman turned out for Satria Muda BritAma of Indonesia in the first ABL season.

“It was my intention to come to Malaysia for the domestic NBL season for the sole purpose to show the Dragons that I could play in their teams system with their players and bring a championship,” Hartman told Red Hoops a few weeks ago.

“I told the coach right when I arrived that I would help KL bring a championship I would help his local players and I would give it my all every game and that’s what I did. And I was rewarded with MVP honors. I felt like if I did my job they would ask me back for the ABL season. It was my goal the whole time. I believe we have unfinished business and I hope the team would see that and bring me back. But they didn’t sign me back officially yet,” added Hartman.

As of last Friday, September 24th, Hartman was still not signed to a contract. Since then, the KL Dragons official website has since listed Irishman Thomas Grace Conor as their second international signing after Jason Killeen.

Hartman listed some of the positives of playing with the Dragons.

“Some of the attractions are playing with a team I just won a championship. I understand what the coaches and players want. We worked hard. The management was good. I mean, any player wants to return to a team where you were winners. I liked the city. I was very comfortable,” said Hartman.

As for Satria Muda, his former team, there was no chance of a happy return for a second season with the Jakarta-based club.

“Well, Satria Muda never asked me back. It was disappointing cause I had won a championship in Indonesia and finished second in the ABL season and led the league in points. I felt I did everything I could. But there are no hard feelings. I love Indonesia and will always have a place for Satria Muda and its fans in my heart,” said Hartman.

During the ABL off-season, Hartman played for the Vancouver Volcanoes in the International Basketball League from April to July. Hartman played 20 games, averaged 27.5 minutes and 12.6 points. As for the ABL, Hartman was positive about the experience.

“The first ABL season was good. I thought that it was professional, competitive, with a lot of good players, both domestic and imported, and I felt the fans grew with the season,” said Hartman.