Ticket sales are starting to pick up as basketball enthusiasts reserve courtside seats to see the NZ Breakers and the Brisbane Bullets play in a pre-season Australian National Basketball League game at the ASB Arena on Tuesday 13 September.
"We're very fortunate to have teams of this quality come to Tauranga so we'd like to see the stadium full," Tauranga City Basketball general manager, Mark Rogers said.
Local hero and former Bethlehem College student Mika Vukona would be joined by teammates Kirk Penney, Corey Webster, Tom Abercrombie and a host of rising talent in the Breakers lineup as the team prepares for the season ahead.
"The SkyCity Breakers last visited Tauranga five years ago under coach Andrej Lemais, who is now the Australian Boomers and Brisbane Bullets coach," Rogers said.
"Andrej is familiar with the Breakers style of play so it'll be interesting to see his strategy against his former players."
The Brisbane Bullets would be entering the ANBL after an absence of several years and will also be packed with talented players such as Daniel Kirkert, Torry Craig, Reuben Te Rangi and Adam Gibson.
Tickets to the game start at $12 and were available from Ticketek and Baycourt. TECT card discounts apply to tickets purchased from Baycourt only.
"We've tried to make the game as affordable as possible to all sports lovers," Rogers said.
"The SkyCity Breakers appeal to anyone keen on fast paced live sport. It's an enjoyable night out for all the family."
The game starts at 7pm. Zespri would be giving away green and gold kiwifruit to all spectators prior to the game.