NBL: Abercrombie's dreams hinge on regaining form

Tom Abercrombie is off contract with the Breakers at the end of the season. Picture / Getty Images

There are few within the Breakers franchise with more at stake this season than Tom Abercrombie.

Coach Dean Vickerman, perhaps, considering consecutive mediocre campaigns would cast a serious pall over his credentials. Maybe Cedric Jackson, whose second coming is almost as highly anticipated as that of another saviour.

But Abercrombie's future is on the line this season, a year when personal revival must be married to that of the team if he wishes to leap to the next level as effortlessly as he leaps above the rim to collect another lob pass.

An injured Abercrombie will miss tomorrow night's opener in Perth, but at Vector Arena the following week he will begin what could be the end of his time at his hometown club. The 27-year-old is off contract at season's end and his next step is far from certain.

Coming back to the Breakers is one option but an international secondment must be a serious possibility, either a second straight Euro trip or a reawakening of a seemingly dashed American dream.

The former would be more likely if a departure does eventuate. In the last two off seasons, Abercrombie has tried at both of the biggest markets for Australasian players intent on leaving behind the ANBL, with mixed results. His experiences in the United States could be described as indifferent at best, where in the Summer League he found little playing time and even less chance to showcase his talents.

A stint in France the following year was more successful and would be a better bet if Abercrombie did have ambitions extending beyond the Breakers.

The club to its credit has long been seen as a nurturing ground for Kiwi talent, wanting youngsters to leave the nest if bigger and better things are on the horizon.

Abercrombie is no youngster and this campaign could be his final opportunity to take flight. It's too soon for him to speculate but the swingman knows what he needs from this season.

"I just want to get back to playing good basketball," he said. "I'm excited to try and get back to playing well and helping this team get back to the level we want.

"I'm not focused on contracts or anything like that - it'll take care of itself - I've just got to go out there and play basketball and do my job."

The Breakers would only encourage Abercrombie to try his luck at pastures new, offering at the same time safe return if required. And that's why another spell in Europe looks increasingly likely - Abercrombie could test himself at a higher level before landing back with the Breakers or, having put himself in the shop window, he could find another suitor and a new home.

"It's probably something I'll look at after this season, depending on how the body goes, but that's a long way away at the moment. Nothing happens unless I go out there and play good basketball and help this team right now."