Basketball: Abercrombie signs for Southland

Thomas Abercrombie. Photo / Getty

The Southland Sharks' chances of a National Basketball League repeat have just been given a big boost.

Tall Blacks and New Zealand Breakers standout Thomas Abercrombie has chosen the NBL's southern-most franchise to play the 2016 season, being confirmed today to be linking up with the defending champions.

Abercrombie hasn't played in the NBL since 2011, when he played the last of his three seasons with the Waikato Pistons.

He was named in the All-Star Five in all three seasons, and will be a clear MVP candidate this season on the now-loaded Sharks side.

The Sharks will roll out the small forward alongside international teammates Everard Bartlett, Duane Bailey and Alex Pledger, while there are still two import slots to fill - one which will almost certainly be a starting point guard.

The Sharks also have James Paringatai and Derone Raukawa under contract for 2016.

Abercrombie will be one of the premier scorers in the league, with his precise three-point shooting set to be complemented by an off-the-dribble game which will stand out far more in the NBL than it does with the Breakers in the ANBL.

Add in Abercrombie's freakish athleticism and he'll be a big factor on defence as well, likely to have a similar level of impact to last season's MVP Torrey Craig.

The 28-year-old does have an opt-out clause in case a European contract comes up (as was the case when he was set to play for the Pistons in 2014, but instead joined a team in France), but due to family commitments Abercrombie has said he would prefer to stay put in New Zealand.

Abercrombie's signing means that there are likely to be three talent-loaded sides as a result of the talent contraction in a reduced seven-team competition.

As well as the Sharks, the Supercity Rangers have signed up Mika Vukona, Lindsay Tait and Reuben Te Rangi, while the Wellington Saints have confirmed the signings of Leon Henry and Dion Prewster, and are rumoured to also be signing Tai Wesley, Shea Ili and Beny Anthony.

Add in some powerful imports still to sign and there could be at least three stacked teams in the 2016 competition.