Basketball: NBL import told toget in shape fast

Wellington Saints have told American basketball import Festus Hawkins to shape up or risk being shipped out.

The 2.10m former Harlem Globetrotter was given a stern message after struggling through the National Basketball League pre-season tournament earlier this month.

Saints chief executive Michael Bennington confirmed Hawkins, 27, had been told to get fit, but denied there had been an ultimatum issued.

"He's the right fit for us," said Bennington. "The only downside is his fitness. We've really laid it on him that he needs to get in shape if he wants to be part of the team."