New signings have strengthened the Breakers' stocks of big men, but a fully fit Alex Pledger could be their best addition in that position.
The starting centre missed the second half of last season as his side struggled to defend the rim and pull down rebounds, stumbling to a second-last finish in a league they had previously owned.
And although it came as no surprise when the Breakers recruited Ekene Ibekwe and Tai Wesley to cover power forward and centre, the return of a healthy Pledger stands to provide the most gains.
"Body-wise, I haven't felt this good in a while," he said. "But I'm going to be realistic with my expectations and focus on one or two things rather than trying to come back with a bang."
The ankle injury that curtailed his last campaign has healed, leaving Pledger with only a slight toe tendon complaint that kept him from the Tall Blacks' World Cup squad.