Breakers confirm Wesley signing

This isn’t Andrew Bogut big, but for the Breakers picking up prized free-agent Tai Wesley on a one-year ‘‘homecoming’’ deal fits the bill just nicely.

The Kiwi Australian NBL club desperately needed to add some proven quality to its frontline and, as has been reported previously by Stuff, Wesley was always going to be that man. He had two excellent years with the club from 2014-16, has played previously under new coach Kevin Braswell at Wellington’s Saints and is very much a known quantity in terms of his on and offcourt qualities.

Wesley was unveiled yesterday as the Breakers’ marquee offseason signing with new coach Braswell lauding the return of the hard-nosed big man.

‘‘He is one of the premier big men in the NBL – the sort of player every club would love to have on their books,’’ said Braswell. ‘‘His ability to play in the post and also stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting makes him a unique figure and adds so much to our offence. This is a big day in our off-season planning.’’

Wesley’s record in the Australian NBL speaks for itself. In his two seasons with the Breakers they won their fourth championship and then finished runner-up, and after a disappointing first stint in Melbourne he was a principal figure in the club’s first championship when they shaded the Adelaide 36ers in an epic grand final that went the distance last month.