Basketball New Zealand

June 12, 2009

The NZ Breakers have wasted precious little time in confirming the bulk of their playing roster for the upcoming Australian National Basketball League season with the club today filling 10 of the 12 spots on the team, seven of them New Zealanders.

Friday’s announcement comes just weeks after the new league was confirmed, following some uncertainty over the future of the competition.

But throughout this time the Breakers front office and coaching staff kept faith in Basketball Australia and their ability to deliver a quality product this coming season.

Breakers general manager Richard Clarke says that recent hard work has put the club in a strong position for the September 24 tip-off at the North Shore Events Centre, building on the strong foundations of the past few years.

“At no stage did we ever think there would not be a league this season. We were and remain in constant dialogue with Basketball Australia and kept our focus on preparing for a new season. There has been a great deal of planning and hard work to reach this point in our on and off court activities,” Clarke said.

“Today our sponsors, season ticket holders and basketball fans in general can see some evidence of that hard work in the quality of the players that will wear the Breakers singlet this season.”

Clarke also emphasised the New Zealand influence in the playing roster, something the club was extremely proud of.

“While our ultimate objective is to win basketball games and a championship we are also a club with a strong community focus. That includes developing New Zealand talent and it is with pride that seven of our 12 contracted players will be New Zealanders.

“Along with the experience of Kirk Penney, Dillon Boucher and Paul Henare, it is great that the Breakers can play a part in developing exciting young talent such as Tom Abercrombie, Corey Webster and our two new additions Alex Pledger and Jeremiah Trueman.

“It is not an exaggeration to suggest that these guys represent the future of NZ basketball; the Breakers have a responsibility to help them as individuals but also to safeguard the future of the game and help grow the sport in any way we can.”

The Breakers will run a roster of 10 contracted players and two development players. The club today announced eight local (NZ or Australian) players in the full roster, plus two promising young kiwis to fill the development spots. The squad includes seven players returning from last season’s memorable charge to the playoffs.

The final two positions will be filled by imports, something Clarke said has been well planned.

“Our first priority is always to look to New Zealanders and then Australians to fill our roster, now we have worked through that process we will bring in two imports to make up the balance of the team.

“We are very close to finalising one of those players, someone that has great experience in this league and numerous team and individual honours to his name. We hope to make an announcement in the next week to 10 days.

“The final position will be left open until after NBA summer camps when we will have a better idea of who we can recruit to best suit our needs and our budget.”

The Breakers will also confirm details of a pre-season that will see the club embark on an internal tour, with games in three North Island locations – the first time the club has played outside of Auckland since the debut season in 2003-04. Dates and details are in the final stages of being finalised.

Season and individual game ticket packages will be available from the club website from July 1, with demand already strong.

The coaching staff returns intact from last year’s semifinal season, with head coach Andrej Lemanis assisted by Dean Vickerman and Judd Flavell.

NZ Breakers Roster

A summary of the NZ Breakers players announced on Friday, including comment from head coach Andrej Lemanis.

Tony Ronaldson

37 years
Australia
Power forward/centre

AL: Tony has been an integral part of the progress of the club, both on and off the court, so I’m very pleased that he is back. He is a natural leader that helps give the group a focus and confidence that we can succeed in any situation. In fact, he has seen more situations then most, so he speaks from experience. He also brings an on-court game which nicely complements the rest of our team. He understands what it takes for teams to win and that is a quality you just can’t magically re-create.

CJ Bruton

33 years
Australia
Point guard/shooting guard

AL: CJ showed last season why he is considered the best point guard in the competition. Makes those around him better and is a true winner. He plays with a confidence that inspires his team-mates and fans alike. I think the NZ public saw just what CJ brings to the game – he loves the competition, he loves interacting with the fans and he is a genuinely nice guy. Breakers fans I’m sure are looking forward to watching him play again.

Kirk Penney

28 years
New Zealand
Guard/small forward

AL: The league MVP returns for his third season in a Breakers singlet. Another player I’m sure the New Zealand fans will enjoy watching ply his trade once again. He is the ultimate professional, and like his team-mates, is extremely humble and always plays in the best interests of the team.

Oscar Forman

27 years
Australia
Small forward/shooting guard/power forward

AL: Had a break-out season last year and started to realise the impact he can make on this team. Taking that knowledge and confidence, combined with his off-season work, the team will be expecting Oscar to continue to add to his game and continue to raise his level of performance. Every one is well aware of his ability to shoot the three, but his improvement at the defensive end and his contribution on the boards have been the most pleasing things for me and the team will need him to continue to deliver in those areas.

Paul Henare

30 years
New Zealand
Point guard

AL: A true stalwart of the Breakers and it is great that he is back again to apply his hard-nose approach to the game. He is a true competitor and loyal to the core. I think he is great example of what can be achieved with hard work, belief and determination. The team is in a great place when we have the luxury of bringing a player of Pauli’s skill and experience off the bench. His commitment to helping the team win in any way he can is truly an asset for us.

Dillon Boucher

33 years
New Zealand
Power forward/small forward

AL: It is only when you get to coach Dillon that you truly appreciate everything he does for the team. He finds a way to help the team win and every good team needs a truly selfless, hard-nosed competitor like Dillon. We’re very happy that he is again on our team rather then wreaking havoc against us.

Tom Abercrombie

22 years
New Zealand
Shooting guard/small forward

AL: An exciting prospect. Tom showed some of what he can do in the public arena towards the end of last season. We, of course, had been witness to it on the practice floor for much of the year. Now that he is in the contracted 10, Tom can no longer sit in the comfort zone of a limited responsibility player. He has to deliver consistently night in and night out for the team to achieve what we want to achieve. The great part is that we believe he has the ability to not only hold his own, but to be a very good player over the ensuing years. It is always exciting when you get young talent into a team and you watch them go through the highs and lows as they grow into a professional player. And I think the NZ fans will enjoy watching Tom continue his journey this season.

Jeremiah Trueman

22 years
New Zealand
Power forward

AL: Another young New Zealander, who I’m really looking forward to seeing grow. He has spent the last four years in college developing his game. While I have watched plenty of tape, you never truly know what a returning college player will give until you see him in your environment. What I am certain of is his work ethic and personal qualities fit perfectly with our values and this is a great place to start. Given these attributes, what I have seen of him play and the experience he has on the team from which to learn, I’m confident Jeremiah will grow into a quality player and another long-term Breaker.

Corey Webster (Development Player)

20 years
New Zealand
Point guard/shooting guard

AL: Returning from last season, Webster is one of the leading players in the current National Basketball League, playing for the Harbour Heat.

Alex Pledger (Development Player)

22 years
New Zealand
Power forward/centre

Pledger is a 2.13m centre who has spent three years in the States at University of Missouri-Kansas City and Belmont Abbey College. Pledger made his first appearance for the Tall Blacks in 2008.