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Wellington Saints guard Troy McLean (Photosport)

Veteran guard Troy McLean was today announced as the first Century City Wellington Saints signing for the 2008 Dominion Finance NBL season under new head coach Doug Marty.

McLean joined Saints originally in 1996 and next season will mark his 11th season with the Saints. He has played only one season outside Wellington – 2006 with Harbour Heat.

McLean has a wealth of basketball, having starred in Saints’ 2003 NBL championship victory over Waikato. During the following summer, he practiced with the Wollongong Hawks in the Australian NBL and his continued improvement in 2004 earned him a call-up for national honours in the pre-Olympic series against Australia.

He also helped the Tall Blacks to a silver medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

‚ÄúI am delighted to have Troy signed to the Saints,” says Marty. “He has been a standout leader and professional in the short time I have been in Wellington, and it will be great to have a player of his experience, both with the Saints and in the league, next year.”

Says McLean: “I’m itching for the season to start. We had a tough one last season and, personally, I want to make sure the fans and the sponsors have something to really shout about next season.

Further playing signings will be announced in the lead up to Christmas.

The Century City Saints 2008 campaign will tip off on the February 27 with a double header road trip to Auckland to take on Harbour Heat and Auckland Stars. The first home game will be at the TSB Bank Arena on Sunday, March 23 against the Canterbury Rams.