Basketball: Little hoopla at Breakers muster

By TERRY MADDAFORD

At first glance they could have been passed off as a bunch of mates just shooting a few hoops.

But a closer look quickly confirmed this was no rag-tag lot out for a bit of fun and a runaround.

Yesterday's training session for the New Zealand Breakers - the mob charged with picking up from where the Tall Blacks left off - was a friendly affair with the players getting together for the first time.

Coach Jeff Green was subdued, but businesslike, as he and assistant Frank Arsego watched their squad work out at the North Shore Events Centre - the venue for their Australian NBL opener against Adelaide on October 1.

Phill Jones found his range from the three-point line, Pero Cameron rumbled up and down the court as he does, and Paul Henare, athletic as ever, again showed size is not necessarily everything.

And the Australians? No worries mate. Here to play ball. That's all.

For 24-year-old Blake Truslove, the Breakers are his chance to cement a fulltime spot on an NBL roster.

"Sure, it was a big decision to come across," said the 2.04m Truslove, who quickly outgrew the game in Darwin and moved on to play in Cairns, Adelaide and then Canberra where he played under Arsego.

"Having the fans behind the one team, one-country franchise, the opportunity for more game time and the chance to work with Frank individually were more than enough reasons to come.

"The cross-Tasman rivalry will only add to it. This team will be awesome for the league," said Truslove, who will back up another Australian, centre Ben Melmeth - the team's tallest player at 2.1m.

Truslove is looking forward to playing a different style under Green.

"Given the running game Jeff plays, everyone will get court time for sure. I'm looking forward to that style of game, " he said.

A chance to join a group of players who bring a wealth of international experience is also an attraction.

"They are very professional."

Good enough for the top six? "Top four. With the team we've got that's realistic. I think we will surprise a lot of teams."

Truslove, who admitted it has not taken long to cop some friendly ribbing in the lead-up to Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rugby test, said he was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the squad had come together.

"I've only had two days here, but I've felt really welcome."

The Breakers yesterday confirmed 25-year-old American forward Casey Frank - who is with the Auckland Stars in the Burger King-sponsored national league - as their 10th [and only import] signing.

The team will travel with 10 players to away matches, but can have 12 on their roster at home. The extras will come from Lindsay Tait, David Hopoi, Mike Homik, Lance Baker and Mika Vukona, who will also fill gaps on the Breakers' pre-season Australian trip while the Tall Blacks are in Turkey.