Tom Abercrombie became just the fifth player to chalk up 100 victories in a Sky City Breakers uniform in the victory over the Wollongong Hawks in round 4 of the NBL. Coincidently, it has taken him 142 appearances to reach this milestone – the exact number of games as CJ Bruton. Continue reading
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ALL THINGS NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL
Category Archives: ANBL
Breakers v Wollongong Hawks Preview
The SKY CITY Breakers begin their 2013-2014 NBL campaign at home to the Wollongong Hawks on Thursday night at Vector Arena. Games against the Gordie McLeod coached Hawks are usually tight affairs and this encounter is unlikely to be any different. Continue reading
NBL Dream Team
The NBL Dream Team competition is up and running. If you are interested in joining the Low Down League register via the NBL website and use 91730 to log a place in the league http://dreamteam.nbl.com.au
Breakers Development Player Trials Complete
30 young players, 15-22 years, many with New Zealand NBL experience, along with players transitioning from age group representative basketball attended trials for2013/14 developmentplayer contracts at Sky City Breakers headquarters this weekend. Continue reading
Good news for those living south of the harbour bridge
The Sky City Breakers will be announcing in the near future that half of their regular home games will be played at Vector Arena in the upcoming NBL season. This decision reflects the increased corporate support that the club have enjoyed since their move to the larger more hospitable downtown venue. The players also enjoy the atmoshere at Vector – who wouldn’t enjoy playing in front of between six and ten thousand supporters!
ADELAIDE 36ERS SIGN BJ ANTHONY
Today, it has been confirmed that BJ Anthony has signed with the Adelaide 36ers for the 2013/14 iiNet NBL season (as speculated on Monday). Which other New Zealand players might be on the radar of the seven Australian clubs given that the Breakers have a full compliment of players?
Josh Bloxham has this week been working out with a number of other point guards at the Sydney Kings. Competition is fierce but we wish Josh well in his efforts to step up from a Development player at the Breakers to a fully contracted player.
Everard Bartlett has been a handy performer for the Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers in the last couple of seasons. Having been released by the Wildcats, it would appear that Townsville is his best chance of being hired. New Crocs coach Shawn Dennis has been an admirer of Bartlett and previously coached the Kiwi guard at Hawks Bay in the NZ NBL.
Leon Henry could be a handy pick up, but his release by the Breakers was largely due to the fact that he was carrying too many player points. However, a rating of 5 doesn’t seem too high for a back up swingman.
Lindsay Tait is another who would still be worthy of a spot even though it’s a couple of seasons since he played for the Cairns Taipans. New Zealand’s premier point guard also carries a 5 points ranking but whether the Tall Black wants to play limited minutes as a back up player is questionable.
BJ’s signing, added to the six New Zealander’s on the Breakers team, takes the Kiwi count in the ANBL to seven. Hopefully these numbers swell in the coming months as the Australian clubs finalise their rosters.
THE WHISPERING ROOM
A couple of prominent New Zealand players are searching out the opportunity of playing for an Australian club in the iiNet Australian NBL next season. With the Sky City Breakers roster already full bar the import point guard spot, players are naturally eyeing the possibility of moving across the ditch to pursue their professional careers. One of the players has visited the Sydney Kings to work out under the close scrutiny of King’s head coach Shane Heal. The other is believed to be in negotiations with another club, with a contract already on the table. The Lowdown hopes to be able to name the players in the next few days.
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