Basketball: Breakers sign Australian big man Majok Majok

Majok Majok. Photo / Getty

The New Zealand Breakers have added another new face to a revamped roster, with Australian big man Majok Majok joining the club on a one-year deal.

In a move first pinpointed last week by the Herald, Majok has moved across the ditch from Melbourne United, reinforcing the Breakers' big man stocks after the departures of Rob Loe and Mika Vukona.

Majok has played for three seasons with Melbourne, and is a quality rebounder, though he was hampered by injury last season, averaging just 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10 minutes per game. His best campaign came the year before, averaging 5.7 and 5.9 rebounds on 58 per cent shooting.

Breakers coach Kevin Braswell is confident that Majok can refind his best form with his new team.

"His opportunities have been limited this past season due in part to injury but also the depth in the roster at Melbourne, at just 25 years of age he is about to hit his prime and is capable of making a huge contribution and impact in the NBL.

"Majok is exactly the player we are after, he plays up tempo, crashes the boards at both ends and is an excitement machine above the rim. I have no doubt his best years are in front of him."

Braswell recruited Majok to join him at the Wellington Saints in the New Zealand NBL, and Majok was happy to follow him to the Breakers as well.

"The conversation really started with the signing of coach Braswell, I like how he coaches and I am with him now in the New Zealand league, so some of it came down to wanting to play for him this season," Majok said.

"This past season was up and down for me, the first time being injured in my career and sitting out most of the season. I kind of thought maybe people had forgotten what I can do so I can't wait to get back on the floor and remind people what I am capable of and obviously try and win a championship."

The Breakers are expected to make further changes to their big man rotation, with Alex Pledger told he is free to chase new opportunities, despite being under contract, and Majok's teammate at Melbourne - Tai Wesley - set to return to the Breakers.

Majok will likely be a bench contributor for the Breakers, and would make for an interesting fit with Wesley, who has the ability to stretch the floor. Majok could also co-exist with power forward Finn Delany, giving Braswell plenty of options to utilise up front.

The Breakers are also expected to sign a big man with one of their import slots, but for now, confirming Wesley's signing will be the next box to tick for the new-look side.