The cloud hanging over the Breakers' bright start to the season has cleared, with the club expressing their full support for Reuben Te Rangi following his assault conviction.
Te Rangi was sentenced on Friday for his role in a bar brawl in New Plymouth earlier in the year, suiting uplater in the night to help his side improve to 2-0 with a win over Adelaide.
The Breakers, believing the incident was out of character, have backed Te Rangi throughout the case, and nothing changed after the 19-year-old was sentenced to 160 hours' community work and six months' supervision.
Te Rangi broke down on the court before Friday's game but still managed to take his place in the starting five, turning in a subdued performance in the Breakers' 101-80 victory at Vector Arena.
The Breakers set demanding standards of their players off the court and have taken a tough stance on any transgressions. But the club have also stood by some who have erred - Corey Webster being a prime example after he was welcomed back after a drugs ban in 2011 - and Te Rangi will enjoy the continued support of everyone in the organisation.
"We've known him since he was 13 and trust his character," said general manager Richard Clarke. "We back him as a person and we will help him make good on the mistake he's made.
"It's a terrible incident and a terrible situation that he put himself in, and we know that's not him as a person."
Te Rangi can still embark on transtasman travel after his charge of assault with intent to injure, although other international restrictions remain unclear. He will have to complete his sentence outside of the Breakers' regular community work, but coach Dean Vickerman thought the player was ready to move on and become a key contributor to the club.
"He's made changes in his life already and we're seeing those. There's a great leadership quality about him and I think he can use what's happened here to really grow in that leadership area."
The Breakers see the swingman as a big part of their future and, depending on how Tom Abercrombie pulled up after his first appearance since surgery to remove a sports hernia, Te Rangi could again start in Melbourne this afternoon.
The trip to face the newly-named Melbourne United will see the Breakers complete round two of the Australian NBL having faced each of last season's top three teams. As a start to the season, it could hardly have been tougher, but the Breakers have so far bounced back in stunning style from their 11-17 season.
Friday night's blowout followed a grinding victory in Perth and, if they haven't already announced their intentions, another win in Melbourne will confirm the Breakers as serious contenders to win back the title.
Cedric Jackson again showed against Adelaide he has transformed the team, and fellow new recruits Ekene Ibekwe and Tai Wesley recorded double-doubles in the convincing win.
