Slam dunk: Auckland gets a Tall Black back

Tall Black and Breakers guard Dillon Boucher will play for the Auckland Stars in the NBL, which starts on March 13.

Boucher has played for the Waikato Titans for the past two seasons, but has decided to return to his former team.

Auckland coach Kenny Stone said everyone from last year's team, apart from Darryl Cartwright, had re-signed.

Last year, Auckland reached the semifinals, where they were beaten by the Waikato Titans.

The Manawatu Jets have signed Sydney Kings guard Luke Martin.

The 1.82m Australian signed a one-year deal during the Kings' visit to Auckland last month.

He will go to Palmerston North after the Kings attempt to retain their crown in March.

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In a change of tactics, Breakers specialist point guard Lindsay Tait will travel with the team to Sydney today, replacing Paora Winitana.

After four consecutive losses, the Breakers meet the top-of-the-table Sydney Kings tomorrow night and the fourth-placed West Sydney Razorbacks on Saturday night.

The inclusion of Tait instead of Winitana should give the side more offensive options.

Tait, who turns 22 today, has not played in the league since the Breakers' loss to Brisbane in Hamilton on November 26.

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The Townsville Crocs have released import Carlos Daniel from his contract, and are looking overseas for a replacement.

Daniel was recruited as a shot blocker and a solid defender.

But because many clubs are using smaller line-ups, the Crocs' coaching staff decided to go with a smaller-style running team, hence Daniel's departure.

"Carlos hasn't done too much wrong," coach Ian Stacker said.

"We brought him in as a role player and he got that job done. It's just unfortunate with the make-up of other teams that we need to go with more of a running group and we will be looking to replace him with a smaller, more agile player."

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The two NBL clubs involved in last weekend's post-match brawl have been fined a total of $6000.

The Victoria Giants and the Adelaide 36ers were fined a total of $3000 each on seven charges.

Adelaide star Martin Cattalini was fined $1000 and suspended for one game on a charge of fighting, and missed last night's match against the Giants.

The 36ers and the Giants were also each fined $2000 for bringing the game into disrepute.

Giants' coach Mark Wright was fined $1000 for unsportsmanlike behaviour, but charges against two of his players, son Marcus and captain Rob Feaster, were rejected.

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Tom Coughlin is the new coach of the New York Giants.

Coughlin, the former Jacksonville Jaguars coach and general manager, signed a four-year deal, reportedly worth up to US$12million ($18 million).

"I am excited and honoured to be named the 16th head coach in the Giants history," Coughlin said.

He succeeds Jim Fassel, who was sacked last month on the way to a 4-12 record in the regular season.