He has barely let go since.

From his days growing up in the small South Carolina city of York to his college career with the University of Central Arkansas, a basketball has never been far from reach for the Maitland Mustangs’ newest recruit.

“Basketball has always been part of my life,” Cannon told the Mercury yesterday.

“It was just one of those games. My older brother played, my father played and I picked it up as well.”

Megail Auking Cannon, more affectionately known as King, will line up for the Mustangs in the NSW Waratah Championships season opener on Saturday night after arriving in Australia last week.

King stands at six foot five (196cm) – all but two metres high – and wears size 13 shoes but more importantly the 24-year-old is keen to get on court in his newly adopted home.

“I’m loving it here,” Cannon said.

“We have had two practice sessions and everyone gets on really well.

“I’m just really looking forward to getting out there.”

And what can we expect from Cannon when the small forward goes into battle.

“Aggressive,” he said.

“Whether it is defence, rebounds or scoring, I like being aggressive in every aspect of the game.”

Cannon linked up with the club through former college teammate Mitch Rueter, who joined the Mustangs at the start of last season.

Rueter said the addition of Cannon and former National Basketball League player Kieran Gleeson (Wollongong Hawks) will be an integral boost for the Mustangs in their 2012 campaign.

Cannon is already talking about returning to the same stage the Mustangs reached in 2010 – the state final.

“First of all I want to win,” Cannon said.

“Then I want to get to the post-season and hopefully get to the grand final.”

The Mustangs, men and women, begin their season with an away match against Bankstown on Saturday