Basketball: Jet-setting recruit ready for action

The Breakers flew out to Australia yesterday with new import Brant Bailey fresh off the plane and having had only one training before departure.

Their other American, Rich Melzer, who arrived two weeks earlier, will travel but is unable to take part in the two games against the Melbourne Tigers after suffering a foot injury during the run yesterday morning.

He would be fit for the season start on September 4, the club said.

The Australian NBL has agreed terms with the Players' Association over a collective bargaining agreement that is valid to the end of 2008.

Key components are: the linking of the NBL salary cap to league revenue; an increase in the minimum player wage, which rises annually over the three-year agreement; setting of a minimum wage level for five-year players; involving the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in dispute-resolution procedures; inclusion on the player points review committee of two members of the Players' Association; an increase in the amount clubs may spend on player education; the addition of personal leave, sick leave, bereavement leave and carer's leave provisions.