NZL - An ideal opportunity in France for Abercrombie

LYON (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - There were only positives for Thomas Abercrombie when the New Zealand international weighed up the offer to finish this season in France with ASVEL.

The Tall Blacks star had already finished the season with the New Zealand Breakers and was looking to remain as sharp as possible for the FIBA Basketball World Cup, which comes up later this year in Spain.

Abercrombie, a 26-year-old native of Takapuna, officially signed for the Lyon-Villeurbanne outfit on 3 April and hasn't looked back since.

The 1.98m swingman has played an average of 14 minutes per contest for coach Pierre Vincent.

"It's certainly something I've always wanted to do," Abercrombie said to the New Zealand Herald.

"The opportunity to come over here on a short-term deal and get a taste of things was probably the ideal situation.

"I'm looking forward to coming back to the Breakers - there's certainly no danger of my going elsewhere next season. But this is a good chance to see if I like it over here, and who knows what will happen in the future.''

"It's a chance to go and play in an environment where I haven't before,'' he added. "So it's a good opportunity to show myself and experience a different league.

"I'm sure that playing over here will create those sorts of opportunities. I'm fully committed to the Breakers next season but if you play well it can open up things."

Abercrombie arrived in France after a very strong season in the Australian NBL with the Breakers.

He connected on 41.9 percent (44 for 105) of his attempts from three-point range this season and averaged more than 15.6 points per game.

In terms of staying in top physical condition for the World Cup, where the Tall Blacks will play in Group C against the USA, Finland, Turkey, the Dominican Republic and Ukraine, Abercrombie said: "That's certainly part of it. I wanted to keep playing at a high level and the French League is a very good league. The competition's fantastic and training with these guys every day is only going to help me."

FIBA