Basketball: The teams, personnel changes and prospects for NBL 2006

NORTH HARBOUR HEAT

Coach: Steve Done, second season.

Significant losses: Judd Flavell (right), Dan Ryan and Daryl Cartwright (Auckland), Prem Krishna (Waikato), Valance McCarthy (Manawatu).

Significant gains: Troy McLean (Wellington), Mike Homik (Auckland).

Imports: Mike King (Canada, second season), Anthony Sujnara (Sydney Kings).

Other newcomers: Jordan Reid and Sasha Tasvske (Harbour development).

The Heat promise to keep up the intensive defence that took them a long way in the league last year and have beefed up their offensive line. They look to have more scoring options and probably more bench depth than last season with rookies stepping up.

AUCKLAND STARS

Coach: Kenny Stone, fifth season.

Significant losses: Glen Joe (Wellington), Mike Homik (Harbour), Aaron Olson (year off), import Kareem Johnson (Waikato).

Significant gains: Daryl Cartwright, Dan Ryan and Judd Flavell (Harbour).

Imports: Josh Nigut (forward, University of Northern Colorado), Brock Gillispie (shooting guard, Rice University).

Other newcomers: Josh Clark (Auckland development).

Key players Casey Frank, Dillon Boucher and Lindsay Tait return but arrived late after their time with the Tall Blacks. The balance of the team has changed considerably, with Olson deciding he needs time off before the Breakers season starts. The defending champs will be tough.

WAIKATO TITANS

Coach: Tim McTamney, second season.

Significant losses: Rob Tuilave and Dan Barritt (released), Lance Baker (injured), import Kantrail Horton.

Significant gains: Blake Truslove (Breakers), Prem Krishna and Mason Le Pou (Harbour).

Imports: Graeme Dann (West Sydney Razorbacks), Vidal Massiah (captain of Canada).

Other newcomers: Nil.

The Titans have Pero Cameron (right) and that alone makes them a threat, although the competition will be half done when he returns from Turkey. Also back are Jeff Niwa, Ben Hill, Luke Martin and the core of their development players. Their can be expected to push for the play-offs.

TARANAKI MOUNTAIN AIRS

Coach: Warren Osbourne, third season.

Significant losses: Mike Tompson (Wellington), Willie Banks (retired), Aaron Nowell and Dan Quinlivan (Manuwatu).

Significant gains: Che Yandle (returning after a year off), Matt Cleaver (national junior), Ben Jeffrey (Nelson).

Imports: Jackson Bain (swingman, University of Colorado), Garry Hill-Thomas (shooting guard, University of Nevada).

Other newcomers: Nathan Martin (returns after four years off).

The Airs wanted to get Aussie Brad Davidson back but pre-season financial woes meant he and others signed for the Jets in Palmerston North.

HAWKES BAY HAWKS

Coach: Shawn Dennis (below), third season.

Significant losses: Aussie import Dusty Rychart.

Significant gains: Sam Walker (Otago).

Imports: Field Williams (shooting guard, University of Cincinnati), Kareem Johnson (forward, Cincinnati/Auckland 2005).

Other newcomers: New Zealand-born guard Callum Baynes (development player Brisbane Bullets).

The Hawks are determined to go one better than second in 2006. Paul Henare, Paora Winitana, AJ Majstrovich, Aidan Daly, Willie Burton and Everard Bartlett return and, along with coach Dennis, provide good stability.

OTAGO NUGGETS

Coach: Rick Castle, first season.

Significant losses: Sam Walker (Hawkes Bay), Dan Kong (Wellington),

Significant gains: Miles Pearce (Manawatu/West Sydney Razorbacks).

Imports: Nathan Connolly (small forward, US pro from European leagues), Keith Darden (guard, Concordia University at Austin).

Other newcomers: Nathan Truesdale (Hawkes Bay), Steve Robinson (back from 2004), Chris Hepburn (33-year-old local amateur), Shaun Tilby (back from Australia).

Another tough season is in store for the Nuggets, who lack local playing depth and must again rely heavily on their imports. They should be well prepared and will need to be, playing seven of their first eight games away.

WELLINGTON SAINTS

Coach: Gordon McLeod, first season.

Significant losses: Troy McLean and David Hopoi (Harbour), James Parangatai (Manawatu), import Ben Knight.

Significant gains: Glen Joe (Auckland, right).

Imports: Jamaal Livingstone (power forward, Phoenix), Tony Jones (shooting guard, And1 exhibition player)

Other newcomers: Nil.

The Saints have made several changes after their disappointing season in 2005, not least at coach with the vastly experienced McLeod. Brendon Polyblank has returned from Sweden and Terrence Lewis is back, but otherwise there has been a clean-out of players as the Saints look for improvement.

NELSON GIANTS

Coach: Nenad Vucinic, ninth season.

Significant losses: Ben Jeffrey (Taranaki), import Jacob Holmes.

Significant gains: Their imports.

Imports: Eric Freeman (forward, Kentucky Wesleyan University), Josh Pace (guard, Syracuse University).

Other newcomers: Nil.

The Giants have Ed Book and Mika Vukona back as a formidable front line and are little changed other than with their imports. Tall Black Phill Jones' Italian team is expected to miss the play-offs and he will be back mid-May. Locals including Mike Fitchett, Jeremiah Trueman, Adam Spanich and Chris Daniel are expected to step up.


CANTERBURY RAMS

Coach: Chris Sparks (below), first season.

Significant losses: David Langrell (not signed), Clifton Bush (Manawatu), Nat Connell and Andrew Johnstone (year off), Carl Nicholson (Australia), Andrew Gardner (not signed).

Significant gains: Nil.

Imports: Sam Spann (small forward, Fairfield University), Dennis Trammell (shooting guard, Ball State).

Other newcomers: Nil.

The Rams have the lowest points rating for its player roster so should be last in the bookies' lists. They are banking on their crop of young players and aiming long-term. Sparks' was with the American "Athletes in Action" programme.

MANAWATU JETS

Coach: Brendon Larsen, third season.

Significant losses: Miles Pearce (Otago), import David Cooper.

Significant gains: Valance McCarthy (Harbour), Clifton Bush (Canterbury), James Parangatai (Wellington).

Imports: Jamar Brown (forward, Michigan Mayhem), Brad Davidson (Australian Boomers).

Other newcomers: Johnathon Southey (Wellington), Dan Quinlivan (Taranaki).

The Jets have guard Kaine Hokianga and Corey Vessey back but otherwise their bench is all-change. They lost some close games in 2005 to end their play-off hopes and are banking on time together since last season to catapult them into contention this year.