New Zealand Breakers sign sharpshooter Preston Le Gassick for NBL season

The New Zealand Breakers continue to sign top talent in the off-season, with guard Preston Le Gassick joining their ranks for next season.

Le Gassick, who is a dual national thanks to his Australian father and Kiwi mother, also has a team option for the season after.

Breakers president of basketball operations Dillon Boucher said Le Gassick was a sharpshooter who could score at a high volume.

“He is a rising star who we want to bring into our high-performance environment and develop his talent,” Boucher said.

“He impressed me with his outstanding character and work ethic.”

Le Gassick had an impressive college career at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida before returning to Australia in the Australian NBL1 with the Gold Coast Rollers, averaging 21.3 points and 5.8 assists per game.

Preston Le Gassick will be playing for the New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena. Photo / Photosport

His three-point percentage in the league stood at 38.3%, alongside nearly one steal per game, and he previously played alongside current Breaker Reuben Te Rangi at the Gold Coast Rollers.

“I am incredibly honoured to be joining the BNZ Breakers,” Le Gassick said.

“Growing up in a household with a Kiwi mother, I’ve always felt a strong connection to New Zealand.

“Playing with Reuben last year gave me a great insight into the level of professionalism required to succeed at this level.

“I’m ready to bring my energy and my shooting to help this team win a championship.”

The Breakers have been active in the NBL off-season, having signed two-time champion Australian guard Dejan Vasiljevic on a one-year deal at the end of April.

The Auckland-based team’s backcourt is shaping up to be deadly from deep, with Le Gassick giving the team an extra option beside Vasiljevic and US star Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

However, the team are still searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Petteri Koponen and attempts to sign Judd Flavell and Mody Maor have proven unsuccessful.