Shawn now a long-shot for Breakers

he loves New Zealand, and enjoyed his time here,’’ added Boucher.

‘‘He feels like he’s grown. We’ve worked a lot with him off the court to build him into a complete person and complete player, and he made it very clear he would love to come back.’’

Boucher rated Long possibly the most talented import the league has ever had, and certainly the Breakers’, though with all that raw ability comes the likelihood that he will be hotly pursued by clubs with deeper pockets than the Breakers.

‘‘He’s not a polished product, otherwise he’d be in the NBA already, but he’s not far off. We feel like we’ve been able to help him grow in that area and if we got him for another season, that would be it, he’d be in the NBA.’’ Wesley’s situation is different. The Guam-qualified American power forward is now no longer a non-restricted player under league rules and unless he is able to change his immigration status he would be considered an import.

Boucher said Wesley (14.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.5 apg) was a priority resigning, though his playing status did complicate things.

‘‘We’re certainly having conversations with him about wanting to bring him back,’’ said Boucher.

‘‘He was a key part of what we did and we think continuity is big. It’s the same with Shawn. Having guys who have played in the league is far better than those who haven’t.

‘‘We’re talking with the NBL and his agent because his immigration situation is still progressing. A decision hasn’t been made, so therefore a decision hasn’t been made on his status.’’

The Breakers have six players already on contract (their five New Zealanders and Jarrad Weeks) and five spots to fill for next season.

Boucher confirmed that soon-tograduate University of Virginia centre Jack Salt was high up on their wish-list.

‘‘Jack is a fantastic player, a great guy, a great leader and lockerroom guy, and he’s an Auckland kid, so of course we’d be interested in bringing him home. But his focus is on finishing his college career right now, and then he’ll have his sights on the NBA.

‘‘But we’ve made it clear to him should he be interested in coming home we’d definitely be interested in bringing him back.’’

Boucher is also not ruling out another stint for import guard Patrick Richard who has just signed on in Italy for the rest of the European season. ‘‘He did everything we asked of him,’’ said Boucher. ‘‘He’s someone as far as character you’d want to bring back. But his situation will depend on the makeup of the team, and what we can get in for other spots.’’

The club is undertaking a comprehensive review of their season now but Boucher highlighted guard play as one of their key shortcomings, along with defence and offensive continuity. With Corey Webster, Shea Ili and Weeks all on deals for next season, it could be that they look to bring in a true point guard as one of their imports.

Boucher did concede they had to make some major changes, in attitude and in personnel, after their 12-16 record saw them finish outside of the playoff picture.

‘‘It was definitely enough,’’ Boucher said. not good