Basketball: Sharks snare Braswell

Kevin Braswell. Photo / Getty Images

The Southland Sharks have signed New Zealand Breakers guard Kevin Braswell for the rest of the National Basketball League season.

Braswell had been approached by Southland early in their recruitment phase but declined an offer at that stage so he could focus on the Breakers, who subsequently marched to their first Australian National Basketball League title.

Sharks coach Richard Dickel said securing a player of Braswell's ability was too good an opportunity to pass up.

"Kevin has shown this season with the Breakers that he is a very talented big game player and so when he showed interest in playing in the NBL, we didn't take much convincing," Dickel said.

Braswell, a former standout for the Georgetown Hoyas, has also played professionally in Israel, France, Bosnia and the Dominican Republic.

"He's had a pretty good year so far and we're hoping some of that Breakers' magic rubs off on us," Dickel said.

His arrival means Southland have to drop an import, and that will be American Jordan Lawley, who plans to return to the United States to pursue opportunities closer to his family and friends in California.

"Jordan's a great kid, and has a lot of talent, but the rules are the rules and we can't have three imports," Dickel said.

- NZPA