Basketball: Breakers hustle to sign hot shot

By PETER JESSUP

The Breakers have signed one of the hot prospects of Australian basketball for next season, high-scoring American Shawn Redhage.

Redhage, 23, came from Lincoln, Nebraska, and did a four-year stint at Arizona State University before heading to Australia to complete what he sees as a basketballing apprenticeship.

His long-term aim is to make the NBA, where Breakers star Mike Chappell is trying out this week with the Toronto Raptors.

The Breakers expect to know by this time next week whether Chappell will get a run with the Wolves, after he plays trial games in Minneapolis on consecutive days. He will need to make a heavy impression to attract a contract. The Breakers are waiting for the Wolves' decision rather than immediately looking for a replacement.

Redhage, 2.03m and 105kg, is averaging 35.6 points and 15 rebounds a game for North West Tasmania in the South East Australian league - and has earned the nickname "Charlie Hustle".

Breakers coach Frank Arsego and assistant Wayne Brown have watched him perform.

Arsego drove 11 hours from Canberra to watch him play at Mt Gambier, South Australia. Brown went to a game in Devonport, Tasmania, and watched Redhage get KO'd early, then return to score 44 points.

Redhage had also attracted some interest from Australian and Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian.

The Breakers have dropped talks with Jets forward David Cooper. Taranaki guard Willie Banks is in limbo: the club still interested but Chappell and other signings are taking precedence.