Basketball: Old and the new join Breakers' jaunt to China

The Breakers have included old campaigner Clifton Bush in their squad for a six-game tournament in China as well as fresh blood in Kiwi-connected Brent Charleton, who was top-scorer in the Canadian college league.

Charleton's coach contacted the Auckland club to see if it was interested in the 22-year-old forward/centre and tapes proved his potential.

"It's hard to judge the standard of the competition from tape so it will be good to see him in action," said Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis.

Charleton has a Kiwi father and Canadian mother and is also eligible for the Tall Blacks.

Bush, 32 this year, has been in New Zealand since 1990 and was on the fringe of Tall Black selection in 2001 but his citizenship came through too late. The 1.96m forward, who is back at the Canterbury Rams after winning a title in 2001 with Waikato, works for Basketball New Zealand as a development officer. Bush approached the Breakers for a chance and Lemanis, short on players for the China trip, agreed.

"He said he wants to show us what he can do and we're prepared to give him a look," Lemanis said.

Also going to the four-way tournament is Breakers shooting guard Aaron Olson, who has been released by the Auckland Stars. But point guard Lindsay Tait, who Lemanis also wanted to take, is unlikely to travel because of his importance in running the Star's game-plan. Lemanis also wanted to take last season's co-captain, Paul Henare, Saints guard Troy McLean and others, but has had difficulty negotiating releases from NBL teams.

Apart from Olson, who is signed for 2005-06, the only other 2004-05 Breaker travelling is Blake Truslove. Lemanis is still awaiting the signature of centre Ben Pepper before settling the balance and format of the rest of the roster but other deals will fall into place once Pepper, who has agreed terms, is contracted and registered with the ANBL.

Three Americans will go - Kitwana Rhymer from Massachusetts and the Colombus River Dragons, Robbie Reid from Michigan via Khazakstan, and Mike Bauer from Minnesota via Luxembourg, who were recommended by Mike Chappell's agent.

Also travelling is North Harbour and Junior Tall Black forward Thomas Abercrombie, who impressed Lemanis in training sessions. "He has some good tools; he shoots the ball well."

The Breakers leave on April 26 and play three games against the Melbourne Tigers, a South Korean league team and the host Chinese league team in Wuxi City outside Shanghai, then move to Tian Jin City near Beijing for another round of three games in three days.

Bradtke to Brisbane

The Tigers centre Mark Bradtke has signed with Brisbane for next season. Speculation surrounds the future of father-and-son team Lindsay and Andrew Gaze, the most enduring father-son pairing in Aussie sport, who have both been with the Tigers for 22 years. Andrew, 39, and his dad are said to be planning to quietly slip into retirement.

Tall Ferns absences

New Tall Ferns coach Mike McHugh's first camp will be in July in Wellington, but at least four Olympic squad members have already withdrawn.

Star forwards Gina Farmer and Donna Loffhagen will be unavailable. Farmer is getting married in Hungary that weekend, while Loffhagen has netball commitments.

Forward Sally Farmer and guard Kim Crocker have both notified the new coach of their retirements.

Boucher bags rebounds

New Plymouth helped yet another favourite son celebrate a milestone in last week's NBL round when Auckland Stars forward Dillon Boucher grabbed his 1000th career rebound.

Needing two more to bring up the mark, Boucher snared four boards in the Stars' 93-83 win over the Taranaki Mountain Airs.

Earlier this season, another New Plymouth native - Manawatu Jets guard Kent Mori - equalled the record for league appearances by a Kiwi, also against the Airs.

Last week, Waikato Titans forward Pero Cameron blocked his 100th shot with 2000 rebounds in sight, while Canterbury Rams guard Nat Connell registered his 1000th point.

This week, Nelson Giants centre Ed Book will play his 200th game in the league if he takes the court against Taranaki in Nelson.

Stars' Frank shines

Auckland Stars forward Casey Frank was the NBL player of the week for his 21 points/10 rebounds/four assists/three steals/two blocks game against Taranaki.

The performance catapulted Frank to third on the league's player power rankings behind Ryan Prillman and Jacob Holmes.

Brent Charleton

* Age 22, 198cm, 102kg, small forward/guard

* Attended Simon Fraser University, Vancouver

* Average 24 points, highest in the Canadian college league

* Broke a 20-year-old record held by Canadian great Jay Triano at Simon Fraser; Triano scored 2616 points in one season, Charleton scored 2687 last season

* Father Brian played senior club rugby in the Waikato and grandfather Reg was on the board of the Waikato Rugby Union.