Breakers sign German international

The New Zealand Breakers have officially signed German international Nelson Weidemann as a short-term injury replacement, with the guard set to join the team in the near future.

The 27-year-old joins Gordon Herbert’s side, which currently has Parker Jackson-Cartwright (lower-leg), Preston Le Gassick (neck) and Josiah-Jordan James (hamstring) all sidelined.

With Mojave King already part of the roster as injury cover, Breakers President of Basketball Dillon Boucher says Weidemann will give Head Coach Herbert, who he’s played for at an international level, plenty of lineup options.

“Nelson is known to both Gordie and Sebastian [Gleim] from his European club and German representative duty at age group and senior men’s national team level,” Boucher said.

“That familiarity might be a significant advantage as he looks to assimilate into the group and our systems as quickly as possible.

“He will bring experience, great ball-handling ability, a strong defensive presence to the floor, and is a proven perimeter threat with his outside shooting.”

Weidemann has spent the majority of his hoops journey playing in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), dating back to 2013 and his time with ALBA Berlin.

Stints with Nuremberg Falcons, Bayern Munich’s development system, Ratiopharm Ulm and Rasta Vechta followed for the experienced guard.

Most recently, in his four games for Vechta this season, he averaged 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 21.8 minutes per game.

The Breakers next play Sydney in Canberra in an Ignite Cup fixture from 7.30pm AEDT on Wednesday, live on ESPN.