Basketball: Australian star tipped for Breakers

By PETER JESSUP

A big week looms for the Breakers, with major player signings expected, possibly including Australian national team member Ben Melmeth from the national league title-winning Sydney Kings.

Melmeth, 30, is definitely leaving the champions, but in terms of a new side said yesterday only that he was "looking overseas.".

The Kings management said he would play in a different strip next season, suggesting he would still be in the Australian league.

Breakers coach Jeff Green refused comment, as did chief executive Michael Redman.

"Obviously you know we're looking at a big Australian centre and he's one of two or three on the market that jump out at you," said Redman. The Breakers have already missed at an attempt to lure Tall Black Tony Rampton from Cairns.

"We're talking to three or four Australians," said Redman. A contract with at least one would be tied up this week, he said.

The 2.08m, 110kg Melmeth played for the University of Utah and started with the Newcastle Falcons in 1996, shifting to the Kings in 1999. He averages 16 points a game with a 50 per cent shooting game and stepped that up to 70 per cent accuracy for 21 average in the recently completed finals series. He was in the Boomers team in 2001/02.

Redman confirmed the Breakers were down to decision-time with five players, three Australian and two New Zealanders, and said he expected to wrap up three of those deals this week.

There is some urgency. Only the three top-liners, Pero Cameron, Phill Jones and Dillon Boucher, are signed and the major team launch and first squad camp are set for June 30.

Two further New Zealanders will be added to the starting 12 after trials in mid-June.

Live television cover has been confirmed for all 17 home games through Sky which is talking to free-to-air partners.

Australian Alan Godden has been appointed as Basketball New Zealand's referee's coach.