Basketball New Zealand

New Harbour Heat signing Mika Vukona (Photosport)

Tall Black excitement machine Mika Vukona has signed with the Appliance Shed Harbour Heat for the 2008 Dominion Finance NBL season.

Vukona is one of the leading rebounders in both the Australian and New Zealand leagues. He was also an integral part of the Nelson Giants team that won the 2007 NBL.

Harbour Basketball CEO John Hunt was thrilled when Mika decided to sign for the Heat .

“We are delighted that someone of Mika’s calibre will be playing for us next year. He felt that the Harbour Heat was the team that he could help win the title in 2008.

“The team feel that there is some unfinished business after this season. Mika is a huge addition to the squad and makes a strong team even stronger.‚Äù

Future teammate Dan Ryan commented: “I think that Mika is an awesome addition to our team. Mika is really aggressive and does a lot of the scrappy work, and that’s one thing our team lacked a little last year.

“He also brings a lot of experience and we are really excited about playing with Mika. He is a really great guy, one of those guys that you are proud to have in your team.‚Äù

The Appliance Shed Harbour Heat had an outstanding season in 2007, winning the pre-season Blitz tournament and topping the table during the regular season. They then stumbled in a closely fought semifinal to the defending champions Easy LPG Bay Hawks.

Mika will join one of the strongest Kiwi rosters in the league, alongside inspirational captain Hayden Allen, Tall Black Daryl Catrwright, Jarrod Kenny, Dan Ryan, Mike Dawson and rising star BJ Anthony.