Breakers Bolster Guard Stocks
Tagged in: NZ Breakers
Warning: file_exists() [function.file-exists]: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/var/www/vhosts/basketball.org.nz/httpdocs/resources/uploads/2007/04/hn-nz-breakers-logo-edit.thumbnail.jpg) is not within the allowed path(s): (/home/bbnz/:/tmp:/usr/local/lib/php/) in /home/bbnz/domains/tallblacks.org.nz/public_html/wp-includes/post.php on line 3943
The Harvey Norman NZ Breakers have signed Australian young gun Ryan Kersten to strengthen their guard stocks for the 2007/2008 Philips Championship.
An Australian Institute of Sport graduate, the 20-year-old has American college experience virtue of two years at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque but is yet to play in the Australian NBL.
Breakers general manager Richard Clarke said Kersten had the credentials to make an immediate impact, but was signed for two years with an eye to the future.
ìWeíve had nothing but positive feedback about Ryanís ability and commitment and weíre certain heíll push for plenty of court time as a back-up point guard or in the shooting guard spot,î Clarke said.
Clarke said Kerstenís signing may change the make-up of the Breakersí roster and it was increasingly likely that coach Andrej Lemanis would run an extended squad of eleven.
ìFor the past four years weíve run a roster of ten, supplemented by our development players. Weíre keen to add a player like Ryan into the mix because it creates more competition and we also future-proof ourselves in case of injury.
ìAndrej is still on the hunt for our two allowable imports and weíll be keeping a close eye on the New Zealand NBL as we put the finishing touches on the roster.î
Kersten himself is eager to slip into whatever role Lemanis earmarks for him.
ìIím keen to help out in any way possible,î Kersten said. ìHopefully I can help the Breakers achieve their goals through being a team player and bringing a degree of steadiness and control to the guard line when called upon.
ìMy chief focus will be looking after the ball, keeping things organised and getting the ball into the hands of our key players.î
Kersten said being in the AIS system that has spawned talents like Brad Newly and Joe Ingles has been the key driver in his development.
ìI learnt so much at the AIS and the experience was instrumental in generating the opportunities Iíve had,î Kersten said.
ìI enjoyed my college basketball experience in the States, but I was ready to come home after two years and I canít wait to link up with the Breakers. I worked with Andrej at junior level, respect him as a coach and Iím keen to repay the faith heís shown in me.î
Kersten will play for the North Adelaide Rockets during the winter, but his next gig is fronting up to play alongside many of his former AIS team mates, including Ingles. The graduates will take on the current Australian U-19 squad as part of the Emusí build-up to the 2007 FIBA U19 world championship in Serbia this July.
The Breakersí signings to date are Paul Henare, Ryan Kersten, Brent Charleton, Aaron Olson, Oscar Forman, Mika Vukona, Tony Ronaldson and Tim Behrendorff.
