Slam dunk: Breakers look at big US import

Towering American power forward Frank Barr will try out for the New Zealand Breakers while playing for Taranaki in the domestic NBL.

The Breakers are looking for a second import for the next Australian NBL season and have been in negotiations with the 2.13m Barr.

The Philadelphian yesterday agreed to play for the Taranaki Mountain Airs for the final month of the NBL season.

Breakers coach Frank Arsego welcomed the chance to assess Barr's form with Taranaki.

"Over the years, American imports have passed through a revolving door in Australia with most clubs having to sign a player virtually sight unseen," he said.

Speaking from Philadelphia, Barr, 25, said he was confident of a contract with the Breakers.

After playing in Saudi Arabia and Syria, he said the idea of competing in the Australian NBL appealed to him.

"I know I could make a lot more by heading back to Saudi," he said.

"But it's not all about money. It's also about your lifestyle and future."

Barr will arrive in New Zealand on May 3 and play his first game for Taranaki away to the Auckland Stars the following Saturday.

The next evening he will be on court against North Harbour Heat.

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Basketball New Zealand has recruited another of Australia's finest coaching brains - West Sydney Razorbacks' Gordie McLeod - as manager of coach and player development.

McLeod resigned as head coach of the Razorbacks last week after guiding them to Australian NBL finals in 2002 and again this year.

West Sydney were the only team in the 2003-04 league with no American imports and took the Sydney Kings to a deciding game five in the final series after finishing runners-up to the same team in the regular season with a 25-8 record.

A distinguished CV includes head coach at the Australian Institute of Sport 1993-97 and headcoach of the Australian under-23 men at the 1993 world championships.

He coached the Australian team that finished runners-up at the 1995 world junior championships and was assistant coach for the Australian Boomers who lost to the Tall Blacks in the 2001 Oceania championships.

As manager of coach and player development, he will be responsible for implementing a national education programme to improve the skills of both players and coaches through schools, coaching courses and workshops.

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Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest has been named the NBA defensive player of the year shortly after being suspended by the league for leaving the bench during a confrontation.

Artest received 476 points, including 80 of 121 possible first-place votes, from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

He easily finished ahead of two-time defensive player of the year Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons, who finished second with 325 points.

Portland's Theo Ratliff was third with 90 points.