The sudden move by the Sky City Breakers to replace import Darnell Lazare after just four appearances is not totally unexpected. Although the return of two-time championship winner Gary Wilkinson is a surprise it is one that will please Breakers fans. He will add scoring punch in a league that has become offensive orientated with the new refereeing interpretations implemented this season. In 65 previous appearances for the club Wilkinson scored 1053 points at 16.2ppg.
Lazare is not the first import the Breakers have released during the season but he does now hold the unwanted distinction of being the one to have played the least number of games before being jettisoned.
Many will remember that Casey Frank was the first import to don a Breakers singlet in their inaugural season but he was released after 12 games before being replaced by Mike Chappell.
The following season Shawn Redhage was deemed surplus to requirements after 14 appearances – on reflection not the smartest move by the Breakers previous board and management. Redhage has been one of the most consistent performers in the NBL since then.
In season three, 2005-6, Brant Bailey lasted 19 games before succumbing to injury and then the ‘don’t come in on Monday’ note.
Since then the Breakers have been a much more stable club. They have had to make a number of replacements due to injuries but the only other import to have had his contract terminated was Awvee Storey who lasted just 9 games in the 2009-10 campaign.
How many of the Breaker’s imports can you name?
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03/4 Frank, Chappell and Iona Enosa
04/5 Chappell, Redhage and Marcus Timmons
05/6 Bailey, Rich Melzer and Brian Green
06/7 Carlos Powell, Brian Wethers and Pierre Wooten
07/8 Rick Rickert, Wayne Turner, Orien Greene and Derrick Alston,
08/9 Rickert only
09/10 Storey, Rickert and Kevin Braswel
10/11 Braswell and Wilkinson
11/12 Wilkinson and Cedric Jackson
12/13 Jackson and Will Hudson
13/14 Lazare, Kerron Johnson and Wilkinson
LACEY LOWDOWN 