The Burger King NZ Breakers have finalised the playing roster for the upcoming Australian National Basketball League season with the return of combo-guard Kevin Braswell to the club after his brief but hugely successful appearance at the end of last season.
Braswell’s arrival last season coincided with the Breakers late season 6 game winning run that so nearly took them to the play offs and was seen as the spark that helped gel the mercurial talents of those around him with Kirk Penney and CJ Bruton in particular given the room to shine offensively thanks in part to Braswell’s vision and passing game.
This ability to bring the best out in those around him was crucial to his signing, with Coach Andrej Lemanis and the players eagerly awaiting Braswell’s return.
“Kevin rounds out our roster nicely,” said Lemanis from the World Championships in Turkey. “We all saw at the end of last season that he fits well within our team and is a player that helps those around him be better. He is at a stage of his career where he is ‘over’ himself - he is prepared to sacrifice individual glories for the good of the group - which fits perfectly with who we are as a team and a club. I know the guys from last year are excited to have him back. They feel like we just got started and now we have a chance to keep building with him.”
That element to Braswell’s game is further emphasised with the great performances of Burger King Breaker players at the World Championships, with Kirk Penney and even Mika Vukona in great scoring form and last night Tom Abercrombie contributing 23 points to the Tall Blacks win over Lebanon.
Braswell headed to France after leaving the Breakers and helped deliver a championship to his Limoges club, something he is keen to repeat down under.
“I can’t wait to get back to the Breakers and catch up with the guys. I had a couple of options open to me and a few things maybe going on in Europe but given the success we had at the end of the last year and my experience with the club, I thought it was perfect to come back for a full season.
“I’ve been talking to Andrej and Paul for some time and kept in touch with a few of the guys on the team and kept the option open of a return ever since I left I guess. Even though it was late in the season when I was signed last year in all honesty it felt like I had been there all year the way I fitted in and the chemistry we got going on the floor. With most of the guys returning I know it is going to be even easier for me to fit in this year and play a part from the start of the season.”
31 year-old Braswell is in great shape and putting in the hard yards in the gym at home in Baltimore.
“I’ve been working out hard since the end of my season in France, going to the gym every day and working on my game. I am in great shape and feeling ready for a big season with the Breakers.”
Burger King NZ Breakers General Manager Richard Clarke is delighted to have the playing roster finalised 6 weeks out from the season tipping off.
“It helps tremendously for the players and the coaching staff to know this far out from the season the talent we have for the season but most importantly, we have signed the team Andrej wants, one that will fit the up- tempo style of basketball that the Burger King Breakers will bring to the ANBL this season.
“Fans are in for a treat, we saw that during our late run last season, one that positioned us as the form team in the league, albeit too late to sneak into the finals. We know what Kirk Penney, CJ Bruton, Paul Henare, Dillon Boucher and Tom Abercrombie can do, add to that the return of Mika Vukona, new import Gary Wilkinson and now Braswell and we have a line up that promises plenty of entertainment and the ability to run with any team in the league.”
2010/11 Burger King NZ Breakers Roster
Paul Henare - Guard - NZL
Kirk Penney - Guard - NZL
CJ Bruton - Guard - AUS
Corey Webster - Guard - NZL
Kevin Braswell - Combo-Guard - USA
Tom Abercrombie - Swingman - NZL
Dillon Boucher - Forward - NZL
Mika Vukona - Forward - NZL
Gary Wilkinson - Forward/Centre - USA
Alex Pledger - Centre - NZL
Development Players
Josh Bloxham Guard NZL
BJ Anthony Forward NZL
Coaching Staff
Andrej Lemanis Head Coach
Dean Vickerman Assistant Coach
Judd Flavell Academy Coach
