AUS/NZL – Abercrombie, downunder internationals commit to NBL

AUCKLAND (NBL) – New Zealand’s rising star of basketball, Tom Abercrombie, has committed to the New Zealand Breakers for the 2011/12 NBL season as the Kiwi club looks to defend the maiden championship it won in convincing fashion over Cairns last month.

Abercrombie has waived a European and NBA out-clause in his existing contract, joining Tall Black teammates Mika Vukona, BJ Anthony, Alex Pledger and Corey Webster who are also locked into contracts with the Breakers for the upcoming season.

Australian internationals CJ Bruton (Breakers), Adam Gibson, Mark Worthington (both Gold Coast Blaze) and Damian Martin (Perth) have also agreed to new NBL deals, while injured Perth captain and Olympian Shawn Redhage is ahead of schedule recovering from a hip injury, ensuring the nine-team competition will again be strong preparation for members of both countries’ national teams.

Peter Crawford, who is expected to represent Australia at this year’s FIBA Oceania Championship, has recommitted to the Townsville Crocs on a two-year deal.

Abercrombie burst onto the international scene at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, averaging 12.7ppg and 6.8rpg in his first major tournament. His output along with his spectacular athleticism made him one of the debutants of the championship.

The 24-year-old averaged 10.5ppg and 4.8rpg in the NBL last season and claimed grand final MVP honours.

Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis, also an assistant coach of the Australian national team, was understandably delighted to have Abercrombie back in his line-up.

"Obviously it is pleasing to get a player of Tom's ability back in a Breakers singlet," he said. "He is a player that has been with us for some years now and has developed each season."

"Tom has all the skill attributes and athleticism that are required to be very good at this level. It is just that belief and mental application now and I guess being the MVP of the Grand Final series would suggest he now has that."

National team and club team-mate Kirk Penney is also contracted to the Breakers, but has not yet made a decision on his European and NBA out-clauses for the upcoming season.

In other NBL news, 2009 Stankovic Cup representative Liam Rush has returned to Australia after more than two years in Sweden, signing a three-year deal with the Melbourne Tigers. He is joined by Cairns Taipans grand finalists Ron Dorsey, Ayinde Ubaka and Daniel Dillon, who have all signed multi-year deals with the Tigers.

Former junior international Brad Hill has left the Adelaide 36ers and signed with the Taipans, while young Perth Wildcats championship swingman Stephen Weigh has signed with the 36ers on a two-year deal, where he will team up with Australian U19 captain Mitch Creek, expected to be a star at this year’s FIBA U19 World Championship in Latvia.

Paulo Kennedy

FIBA