Basketball: Breakers point guard candidates take their shot

The New Zealand Breakers are auditioning four prospective basketballers to claim the club's second point guard position, alongside captain Paul Henare.

Australians Jonathon Shepherd, Adam Darragh and Brad Kelleher plus Nelson's Michael Fitchett are in contention for a place on the 10-man roster after spending two weeks on trial.

The quartet will be involved in high-pressure shootouts as they attempt to fill the vacancy.

"It's a bit like the basketball equivalent of New Zealand Idol," Breakers head coach Andrej Lemanis said.

"Over the next fortnight they'll display their skills in front of the coaching staff and we'll have to make the tough call as to who best fits into our roster."

Darragh appears the best credentialled having played 60 Australian National Basketball league (ANBL) matches -- including a classic performance against the Breakers when playing for West Sydney.

"When he played for the Razorbacks last season he shot the lights out, sinking six three-pointers in a row," Lemanis said.

Kelleher played six matches for the Brisbane Bullets after being promoted from their development squad last year while Shepherd has played college basketball in Tennessee and Florida before returning home to link with the Townsville Crocodiles.

Fitchett has already logged for eight seasons in New Zealand's NBL with the Otago Nuggets and Nelson Giants.

Meanwhile, the search is continuing for a replacement for last season's star forward Rich Melzer, who was recently signed by the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association.

- NZPA