Basketball: New Zealand Breakers boss Matt Walsh concedes Glen Rice Jr may not play for them again

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NZ Herald

17 Nov, 2019 10:20 PM3 mins to read

A new look All Whites side have lost to Lithuania 1-0, The UFC is returning to New Zealand and we find out what people make of the Warriors 2020 Wellington jersey. VIDEO / Sky Sport / IMMAF - WMMAA International Mixed Martial Arts Federation

Controversial signing Glen Rice Jr's career at the New Zealand Breakers may already be over, after just two games.

The NBL ordered the Breakers to stand Rice Jr down from their latest NBL game in Perth, after the American was arrested over an alleged assault with intent to injure.

The Auckland basketball club's owner Matt Walsh was still clutching to straws of hope when interviewed by Radio Sport, but gave a clear inference that Rice Jr may not step on court for the team again.

"I'll still do my best to help Glen whether it involves playing for the Breakers or not…help Glen get his life back on track," Walsh said.

"He's got a court appearance on Wednesday, we'll help him with that and it's very much a wait and see. We don't have much more information than the news reported.

"Either way we will try to do our best to help Glen (whether) he plays for the Breakers again or not."

The incident occurred at an Auckland bar on Thursday. Rice Jr has a chequered past but Walsh believed his own experiences and New Zealand's way of life could help turn things around.

"We have the infrastructure and the people…this country is such an amazing place. How do you mess this up?" he told the Radio Sport Breakfast.

"I'll be honest, maybe it was self-indulgence or me being naïve… I thought we were the perfect place to help him and playing for a coach he knows well.

"My focus now is doing what is best for the Breakers and getting Glen whatever help we can.

"These are the things you never want to deal with as an organisation. But this is life and sport. We'll get through it and get out the other side stronger."