Basketball: Braswell signs up to fight Tigers

The Breakers have signed American Kevin Braswell for the remainder of the Australian National Basketball League season.

Braswell, 30, whose most recent employer was the Elitzur Maccabi Netanya club in Israel's Premier league, arrived yesterday and is expected to take the court in tomorrow's home game against the Melbourne Tigers.

Braswell's signing is a timely boost for the Breakers as they begin the final seven games of the season, four of which are at home.

The Breakers, without swingman Tom Abercrombie for up to four weeks because of an ankle injury, need to win at least five of those games if they are to feature in post-season action.

"With Tom out for maybe the rest of the season, we needed another guard to shore up that part of the roster and allow us to rotate others into the two and three spots," head coach Andrej Lemanis said.

"Kevin can play point or shooting guard, which gives us versatility to swing CJ [Bruton] in the two spot to become more of an aggressive scorer.

"Kevin is another ball handler in the back court, but most importantly he is experienced and at this point in the season we need that.

"He has to come in and quickly find his feet and be ready to contribute.

"With so few games left in the season we had to source the best player available to meet our requirements. Kevin is that guy," he added.

Braswell said: "I have spoken to coach Lemanis and understand what he wants from me, to take some of the ball-handling responsibilities and free up some of the shooters on the floor.

"I've rested up well on the plane and can't wait to get to work."

Lemanis remains positive about his team's chances of playing in the post- season, despite many writing off the Breakers. "For us it is simple, win our home games and grab at least one on the road and we will be in the mix.

"We believe we can still achieve our goals. The challenge begins against the Tigers."

- NZPA