Alex Pledger dunks against the Brisbane Bullets at Auckland's Vector Arena. Photo/NZ Herald
There have been times in his career that NZ Breakers giant Alex Pledger thought he would never reach the milestone that looms for him later this week.
Provided the seven-foot centre suits up in Cairns on Friday night, he will become just the fifth player to notch up 200 Australian
NBL games for the Breakers, a feat that will be further celebrated when he returns to the North Shore Events Centre on Sunday to face Adelaide 36ers.
The fact he has made it to the double century is in itself a feat of endurance, one that he might not have considered too seriously, given the battles he has endured and overcome in recent years to be fit and available.
"Chief" missed most of the 2013/14 season with an ankle injury and limped through most of the following campaign with a "turf toe" complaint that required surgery.
But having regained his fitness, he was one of the first signings for new head coach Paul Henare, who regards him as a player you can build a team around.
"It is not a surprise for a player like Chief, in our competition when you play 30 games a year if you are around long enough, these milestones will come along," said Henare.
"He is big for us - excuse the pun. When he is cementing our defence by being that rim protector at the back, rebounding well and playing with confidence at the offensive end, he is a hell of a player.
