Basketball: US import jumps straight into Breakers' deep end

The Breakers have bolstered their line-up with a new American forward and Aussie Ben Thompson back at guard.

Thompson was flown over last week, impressed coach Andrej Lemanis in training and will rejoin the club he was cut from after last season.

The ANBL prohibited the Breakers from naming the import, who arrives in Auckland from San Antonio today until it has his signature on registration and licensing forms.

He is a forward-shooting guard in the US but is expected to play the inside role among the smaller-sized players here, while also offering a three-point shot.

The Breakers are desperate to take the heat off Aaron Olson who, as their regular top-scorer, is attracting too much defence. Thompson will also increase their options in that regard.

A. J. Majstrovich is recovering from a knee injury and is a good chance to play the double-header against the Perth Wildcats at Trusts Stadium tomorrow night and the Manukau Events Centre on Sunday.

So the new import will come in - as Brant Bailey and Rich Melzer did - with little time to practice or develop any combination before being thrown in at the deep end.

He and Thompson, 27, should allow Lemanis greater leeway with his bench, able to use the less experienced locals for impact rather than throughout.

The American was recommended to the franchise by Brett Brown who works with the Spurs in San Antonio.

He needs clearance from that club and an international licence before he can play but the Breakers are confident the paperwork will be completed by tomorrow.

Also coming in for the Perth games is ANBL referee's boss Pat Tilden who will be bringing referees' assessments from the Breakers games. These were requested following the match against the Kings, during which captain Paul Henare criticised the officials. Changes are in the wind, with Tilden likely to roster different Aussie refs to fly here as well as appointing the New Zealand-based referees to games in Australia.

The double-header will be notable for the impact of Dillon Boucher, unceremoniously cut and replaced by the Wildcats' man Majstrovich after last season.

At Perth, Boucher has raised his shooting accuracy from 40 to 46 per cent from the field and from 54 to 69 per cent from the free-throw line.

The Breakers and Cats are 3-3 in all contests but the Perth franchise is the only Australian team yet to score a win in New Zealand.

Asian invasion


The ANBL is over the moon with results from the Cats' last game, a win over Brisbane in Singapore that attracted 8000 fans.

Viewing audience on ESPN throughout Asia was estimated at 54 million, and the crowd and television figures will ensure more games will be played there.

Tompson back


Forward Mike Tompson has signed to return to the Wellington Saints for next year's domestic NBL.