Weeks to return for Breakers

Australian Jarrad Weeks has joined a quartet of Kiwis in re-signing for the Breakers for the 2020-21 ANBL season.

Weeks will return for a third season with the Kiwi club after signing a one-year contract extension. He joins Tom Abercrombie, Corey Webster, Finn Delany and Rob Loe as the fifth confirmed rostered player for next season.

‘‘I’m very excited to come back,’’ said the 30-year-old who also plays for the Southland Sharks in the Kiwi NBL. ‘‘The club put in some really good steps last season, especially towards the end where we finished 11-3, and if we can get the old band back together it’s going to be a very successful campaign.

‘‘I like the way Dan [Shamir] coaches and I think he sees me as another coach out there on the floor to try and lead some of the guys.

‘‘With me coming back, and the New Zealanders they’ve already signed, we can get to the finals next year.’’

Weeks averaged 16.4 minutes, 5.9 points, 1.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds last season but was hampered with a shoulder problem over the second half of the season.

Shamir was rapt to get what he has no doubts will be a fully fit Weeks back for next season.

‘‘Weeksy is a guy who can really adjust to all the situations we have in mind and he’s a great partner, a great player on the court and in the lockerroom and an asset to the coaching staff,’’ he said.

The experienced combo guard has found a new home at the Breakers after playing three seasons for the Sydney Kings, two for the Cairns Taipans and one at the Illawarra Hawks.

‘‘I wear a New Zealand hat with a silver fern with pride,’’ he said. ‘‘It has been a long time for me in New Zealand. Many guys joke about when are you going to be a New Zealand citizen? I will always be an Aussie at heart but New Zealand plays a big part in my life right now and I’m very happy to be here.’’

Weeks said fans should be excited for next season.

‘‘With those New Zealand guys signing so quickly to long contracts, it keeps that continuity that’s proven to be a good formula for the NBL.’’

Shamir was delighted with how his roster was taking shape.

‘‘We feel that the second half of the season we were very competitive and we want to create a similar situation for next year.

‘‘We don’t really have a final idea of everybody’s role. It really depends on whether we will be able to keep Scotty Hopson and Sek Henry or whether we will have to bring in other players.’’