Basketball: Duane Bailey signs in England

Duane Bailey (right) defends Brendon Polyblank while playing for the Southland Sharks. Photo / Getty

Former New Zealand Breakers forward Duane Bailey has found a new team.

After being cut by the Breakers last month, Bailey will link up with the Plymouth Raiders in the British Basketball League.

The Raiders are coached by Daryl Corletto, a person Bailey knows all too well, having played alongside him at the Breakers in the ANBL and the Supercity Rangers in the NZ NBL.

Bailey was cut from the Breakers upon Corey Webster's return, with the New Zealand franchise instead deciding to keep the fast-starting Everard Bartlett and Australian guard Shane McDonald.

With every other ANBL roster already set, after cutting him the Breakers offered Bailey a training position with the club. Instead, he opted to look for a lower-level European gig, finding one in the BBL.

The top British league is of similar quality to the NBL - a competition Bailey will again take part in in 2016 when he re-joins the Southland Sharks as they look to defend their title.

Able to cover the small forward and power forward positions, Bailey has a nice mix of strength and shooting which makes him an ideal stretch four in some offensive systems, and he should be in line for an ANBL roster spot next season - especially if he can impress with first Plymouth, and then Southland.

He will join the Raiders after their release of two New Zealanders - Beny Anthony and Richie Edwards.

The duo had their contracts terminated by the Plymouth side after what was described as "serious off-court issues".

"The players have had their contracts terminated because of flagrant disregard for club rules, and for serious off court issues," said Raiders Chief Executive Dave Briggs in a press release.

"Daryl has come in as head coach and instilled a new culture and a new set of values that we expect the players to be a big part of. Unfortunately, Richie and BJ have not only let Daryl down with their behaviour, but also the rest of the team, the sponsors and the fans of the club. We have been forced into taking this decision."

"We are treating this situation very seriously," said Corletto. "The new values that we are implementing across the club are not just there as something meaningless on paper. These are about respect, accountability, hard work and honesty. If you don't buy into these values then it's very simple, you will no longer be a Plymouth Raiders player. The other players have all bought into this but unfortunately, BJ and Richie have let themselves down."

Plymouth got their first win of the season overnight, beating the Glasgow Rocks 76-75.

Bailey is set to join them for their next game on the schedule, against Worcester this weekend.