Sobey signed with the Taipans as a training player in August and moved to the Snake Pit after Ballarat Miners bowed out of the South East Australian Basketball League conference finals.

His impressive performances against Melbourne United in pre-season hit-outs earlier this month quickly made him popular with fans - just like at the Minerdome.

Sobey's promotion is fan-driven under the club's Spend to the Cap fund, under which community backing helps the Taipans spend close to what its bigger rivals do under the NBL's $1 million salary cap.

“I thought I was going to come in and train with the team and keep working to improve my game this season, then all of a sudden this comes along so I’m really pleased,” Sobey said.

“I’m a guy that plays hard all the time; I try to go out there really energized and that’s the sort of stuff I hope I can keep producing this season."

Taipans head coach Aaron Fearne said Sobey had excited Snakes' crowds in the pre-season and caught the eye of sponsors that were keen to see what Sobey could produce at NBL level.

“I think the first thing that catches your eye with Nathan is his athleticism and quickness, he gets after it defensively and is passionate about that end of the floor,” Fearne said.

“Offensively he is extremely quick, he can put pressure on the rim and get out in transition and he shoots the ball with confidence."

Sobey joined the Ballarat GMHBA Miners in mid-May once he graduated from division one college Wyoming University in the United States.

He averaged 16.9 points and 5.5 rebounds from 19 SEABL games and entertained Miners' fans with his flashy dunking plays.

Sobey, who hails from Warrnambool, had been part of the Miners' development program before he went to college.

The 24-year-old becomes the second guard on the Taipans' roster recruited from the Minerdome, joining former Miners' captain Shaun Bruce.

Fellow Miners guard Anthony Fisher also joined NBL ranks as a rookie for the upcoming season.