The 23-year-old point guard, who played college basketball at the University of West Georgia in his home town of Carrollton, has replaced 2011 WBL most valuable player Marcus Vanderheide as Newcastle’s import for 2011.

Another UWG Wolves graduate, 200-centimetre forward John Pringle, had been in negotiations with the Hunters to be their second American player but there were visa issues and they could not complete a deal.

Sims and Pringle were UWG teammates of Newcastle junior Adam Stanger, who has rejoined the Hunters this season after playing for Sydney Comets last year.

Sims is primarily a playmaker, but coach Darren Nichols is likely to use him as a scorer in a back-court rotation with Josh Morgan, Mat McGovern and Stanger.

‘‘I played with Adam Stanger at the University of West Georgia. The opportunity came up to come to Newcastle and play and I was all excited – I jumped right on,’’ Sims said yesterday on his first visit to Broadmeadow.

‘‘Adam had told me a lot about it – the beautiful beaches and everything – so I did a little bit of research on Bondi and Sydney, but as for Newcastle ... it’s a first-time experience ... Coach Nicho told me he wanted me to come over and do a lot of scoring, so I’m thinking I’ll play maybe at the two position, maybe a little bit at the one position, but we’ll see. I’m capable of doing both, so I’m excited about it.’’

Sims completed his college career last March.

He captained the Wolves in his senior year, averaging 13.2 points at 43.3 per cent, and finished in the team’s top two in scoring, steals and made and attempted free throws and three-point shots.

Since then, Sims has remained active by playing in semi-professional and social leagues.

He has coached high-school basketballers preparing for college careers, and will play a similar role working with Newcastle Basketball development manager Rohan Stevenson as mentor for Newcastle juniors and Hunter Academy of Sport squad members.

Sims will begin training with the Hunters this week and will make his WBL debut at Broadmeadow on March 24 against Illawarra, who defeated Newcastle in the grand final at the same venue last August.

‘‘The game in America is more up and down, fast-paced, but Adam was telling me that out here it’s more structured ... so I’m just excited about learning the Australian game,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s a little bit of pressure but I like the pressure. I’m just here to help these guys win more games and raise the bar to the next level and win a championship, and I’m excited about that.’’