Aussie Weeks signs two-year deal with Breakers
Niall Anderson
An offseason of change has continued at the New Zealand Breakers, with the club welcoming back an Australian influence to their roster.
Melbourne-born point guard Jarrad Weeks has crossed the ditch, signing a two-year deal to become the Breakers’ first Australian player since 2016.
Under Paul Henare’s tenure, the Breakers had tried to keep their core entirely local, with eight Kiwis and three imports being the preferred make-up for the past two seasons.
Only Isaih Tueta — a short-term injury replacement — broke the mould, but with new ownership and a new coach in charge, the Breakers have picked Weeks to join the fray.
Weeks has spent five seasons in the Australian NBL, the last two with the Cairns Taipans, and is expected to back-up Shea Ili at point for the Breakers.
The Herald understands that, at this stage, the Breakers plan to have Ili start at point guard following his breakout season last campaign, and Weeks should prove to be a handy back-up.
Weeks is a quick guard, able to push the pace and attack the basket. He averaged eight points and two assists per game in Cairns last year, and while his field goal percentage is sub-optimal (37 per cent in his past two seasons), he is a proven shooter from beyond the arc.
Weeks, who will suit up for the Southland Sharks in the New Zealand NBL starting this Thursday, is excited for his new opportunity.
“I like the way the Breakers are going to play, it will be a fun, up-tempo style of basketball and I think it’s going to be an exciting year,” Weeks said.
Coach Kevin Braswell is pleased to have locked in Ili and Weeks as a combination in his first season as Breakers coach.
“To have both these guys is unbelievable. I have been watching and admiring Jarrad for years, he has always been exciting.
“He brings tempo to the floor, he is electrifying, and he will complement Shea in what he does.”
The Breakers are also understood to be close to terms with Tai Wesley for a return to New Zealand.
The Breakers’ roster at present is Ili, Weeks, Tom Abercrombie, Finn Delany and Alex Pledger.
Boomers basketball great Shane Heal believes Andrew Bogut’s NBL injection will lay the foundation for Australia’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games medal hunt.
A momentous deal that will result in Australia’s first NBA No1 draft pick suiting up for the Sydney Kings is expected to be finalised today. While it will do wonders for the rejuvenated league’s profile, retired sharp-shooter Heal also considers the coup necessary for Bogut’s Boomers prospects.
The 33-year-old is on the comeback from a broken leg and Heal views the NBL’s 28-game regular season as a smarter option than the NBA’s 82-game slog.